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BORN
1934
DIED
2016
EDWARD McCABE Obituary
McCabe was a captain of the LaSalle College track team. He was a lifelong runner and a 4:17 miler. In 1980, at the age of 46, he qualified for and ran the Boston Marathon as an excuse to visit his daughter at Boston College. In his later years, despite the limitations of advanced Parkinson's disease, he continued to work out at the gym almost daily. Ed and Sally Myers, also from Olney, were married on August 26, 1959. The couple had three children: Mary, Peter, and Paul. Ed taught English at LaSalle College High School for over 30 years and inspired thousands of students. He also assisted with the cross-country team. Ed, Sally and their family settled in Riverton, NJ where Ed served on the Boards of both the elementary school and the public library, always fighting to promote education.
Ed is survived by his wife Sally, daughter Mary and son-in-law Sam Joffe, son Peter and daughter-in-law DeeDee, son Paul and daughter-in-law Srisucha, brothers John and Bernard, sister Joan, grand children Alexis, McKenzie, Meredith, Acacia and Jasmine. Ed's brother Phillip died in 2008.
A Memorial Service is planned for the spring.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for EDWARD McCABE
November 8, 2019
I am just now, getting around to entering a brief, but poignant remembrance of my friend, my mentor, and my inspiration. So many thoughts of Ed to share with you. When I first met him, I was an experienced teacher, but certainly not at La Salle High. Ed said to me, "Look, you have read 100 books, and I have 100 books, and we haven't necessarily read the same books, but we both have something to share with the students." He did pull ups every day on the door jam. Amazing. He quoted Shakespeare. He had the respect of every faculty member, and would often "canvass" the faculty members for their opinion. I later became Department Chair of the English Department, barely holding a candle to his lengend. Ed - I miss you, think of you often, and give credit to you for my teaching style, my passion, and my love of English. Miss you every day! J Demps
Terence O'Neill
October 8, 2016
Mr. McCabe was a gem. I learned of his passing only this week when I called the Alumni Office about him. I thought of him after listening to Simon and Garfunkel and remembering him playing "America" in class on of the huge A/V units from which I memorized conversations in French in another LaSalle classroom.
Learning to listen to songs and their lyrics was one thing. He pointed out the calliope music at the end of "America", and explained it showed the endless round and round nature of the search for America, like a merry go round. That caught my attention. 20 years later, I was doing the same thing as teacher at a youth shelter, a job I lucked out in landing in 1987. I started playing songs, and getting the kids to write out the lyrics, stopping at every line until they all got the words. Sometimes, we would sing the song. "Hey Jude" was a natural. But the song I played the most was "Place in the Sun", by Stevie Wonder. Always useful to show the use of a simile ("Like a branch on a tree, I keep reaching to be free" and 3 more in the song), and always a good writing exercise, as in, if you think this song is dumb and simple, take 10 minutes and try to come up with your OWN simile with a rhyme AND which makes sense, I would tell grumblers. It was pretty hard for my mostly special ed classified residents, and they had to admit it. The best make what they do appear simple, be he or she a dancer, a pro ball player, an artist, or an English teacher.
I remember referring to him as a rookie teacher when I had him from '71 through '74 in a letter in the '90's. He took umbrage and rightfully so, telling me of his years in the Army, and his prior teaching career. What did I know. What do any of us really know about the lives of our teachers- at the time, do we even care, selfish youths that we are/were. But he did have a grand life, reading his obituary, and I am glad of it. I am not glad to have read his obituary, because you never expect a favorite teacher to up and die on you, not to mention getting old beforehand. It doesn't seem fair or right, as though one's favorite teacher should get a pass. But passes, none of us get; which is a stickler.
My condolences to Mr. McCabe's wife, brothers and children. Thanks for sharing him.
Richard Cameron
May 24, 2016
In the fall of '83, on the first day of school, in one deft motion he launched into the classroom, slid his chair across the room and etched the plans for our successful future. For almost thirty-three years I have been inspired, motivated, driven and encouraged by this teacher who never pulled a punch.
This morning I decided to look him up, reach out, send a message. I wanted so badly to talk to him. I never forgot how he spoke. He knew exactly what he was saying, and articulated everything with honesty that made you sincerely feel privileged to be corrected. He made you want to learn, and he could do that with a yell or a whisper.
I am heartsick for not expressing my appreciation years ago, and will never receive any comparable wisdom. However, I am left with what he would surely convey - just do what I taught you.
With deepest sympathies,
Richard M. Cameron
La Salle College H.S., Class of 1987
[email protected]
Karen Rachel Lahn
January 27, 2016
Through all my years of education, Mr.McCabe was one of my two favorite teachers. He knew how to make learning exciting. He gave me unlimited permission to be creative and expressive.
Many years later I think fondly of our English class at Lenape Regional HS in the 1960's.
I appreciate his long lasting influence on my life.
Dr. Rachel Lahn. BFA, MAT, DC
Gerry Foley
February 2, 2016
Best teacher/instructor/life coach that I ever had. My love or reading and writing were awakened by being in his class. My time at LaSalle would have never been the same without the two Mr. McCabe's and Gerry Tremblay. I lump the three of them into one great experience. Thank you, "Mr. McCabe", your time here was well spent and I am sure that the good Lord welcomed you home with a citation of, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
Charlie Fleischman
February 1, 2016
Mr. McCabe was my senior English teacher at Lenape High School from 1962-63 and fundamentally changed me into a student. It is a long, but humorous story as to how it happened, but suffice it to say he made a profound impact on me. I became a teacher, coach and eventually a high school Principal and he had an impact on all of that. Thank you, Mr. McCabe for being tough on me. Rest in peace
Marty Silvestri
February 1, 2016
Mr McCabe was a born educator. His lessons were always creative and passionate. Almost fifty years later I still remember the day he placed an LP on the 'record player' and introduced this budding musician to the music and words of Simon and Garfunkel. Distinct memories such as this will always be his legacy to those of us lucky enough to have shared his gifts each day in the classroom. Rest in peace, Mr. McCabe.
With grateful admiration.
Mike Donohoe
February 1, 2016
I had the pleasure of having Mr McCabe as a teacher. He may have instructed us in English Lit, but he taught us so much more about being the men we should be. A true LaSallian educator, his place in our Alma Mater's annals will be forever.
Rest in Peace, Ed, your time on earth is done. Go to Heaven shouting, love for the Father and the Son.
Michael Donohoe, LSCHS 1979
David Boelker '95
February 1, 2016
Rarely do we come across a man that so wholly embodies and warmly embraces his own caricature. I'll never forget his spirit.
Patrick Maholland Class of '98
January 30, 2016
This man was a true inspiration. I was fortunate enough to have both McCabe brothers and my life has never been the same. I had Ed my freshman year and senior year. Both, he and Bernie, taught me to love literature... Even more so taught me how to love discussing literature. I'll never forget challenging him on the "To be or not to be" soliloquy. After weeks of him telling me I needed more evidence, one day he yelled my name as I was walking out the door and said: "you're right." That changed my life. Mr. McCabe thank you for all you've done for so many. I hope some day I will have left half the impact on a handful of my students as you have made on so many. O Captain, my Captain... Rest easy sir
John O'Donnell
January 29, 2016
Mr. McCabe was passionate, inspirational, and hilarious. His English classes were the highlight of a great high school experience at LaSalle. I will always remember him fondly.
Frank Muller
January 29, 2016
Such a wonderful teacher, he taught us that songs actually had words that had meaning. Think of him every - every - time I hear American Pie, and I think I always will.
Jimmy Matthews
January 28, 2016
My condolences to the entire family and LaSalle Community. Mr. McCabe taught me English at LaSalle H.S.. He also coached me in Cross Country. I will always treasure what he taught me. He was an amazing man and truly cared about me and so many of my friends and classmates.
Brian McGill
January 28, 2016
I regretfully never had Ed McCabe in class, however, he was Department Chair when I arrived to teach English at LaSalle and I was suddenly made aware of how things were done in the English Department at LaSalle College High School. Ed's mentoring was an invaluable experience and I try to model my style of teaching after his; powerful, inspiring, demanding, and personable. Thank you!
Bob R. (LSCHS '75)
January 28, 2016
Mr. McCabe taught us how to read and appreciate great literature. We learned how to understand symbolism and its purpose in the story. Many of the books and short stories we dissected in class are still among my favorites. A kind and tolerant man. A great example to young men.
Brennan Kelly
January 28, 2016
Freshman year, 1982, the first minutes of the first class, a soulless chair wheels across the front of the room and thunders into the radiator followed by the presumed and equally thunderous teacher.and what a teacher he was! Thanks for the education and memories. RIP, Mr. McCabe, job well done.
Joe Harris
January 28, 2016
Taking English my junior year at La Salle with Ed McCabe changed my life. Mr McCabe made me want to become a reader, a writer, a teacher. I especially remember a series of classes at the start of the year on Don McLean's "American Pie" and Paul Simon's "America". They helped me see that there was poetry in my own world.
I am attaching a sketch of Mr McCabe from the 1975 La Salle yearbook. I wish I could remember the artist, because I think he caught the respect and affection we all felt for Mr McCabe.
David Ott
January 28, 2016
I had the privilege of having Mr. McCabe for English and, as a member of the track team, doing several long distance runs with him as he trained for the Boston Marathon. He was, bar none, the most enthusiastic teacher I have ever had. He would praise outstanding work by students but also, with great zeal, call us out if we were sloppy, like the time I misspelled Chaucer on a test after studying his work for three months. I never made that mistake again. I have vivid memories of Mr. McCabe's classroom and, more than 30 years later, I still draw upon what he taught us about English and about life. We are lucky that he was a part of LaSalle High School.
dan marcolina
January 28, 2016
The Brothers McCabe were honest, humor filled, guiding towers to us awkward teens.
Ed Stafford
January 28, 2016
Mr. McCabe, as I always called him, inspired me to teach and serve. His dedication to enriching the lives of his students through the study of English Literature impresed all of his students, almost as much as his empathy and care for those students. Rest in Peace.
Joseph McMahon
January 28, 2016
Happiness was being in a McCabe English class -- Bernie or Ed. My world got a lot bigger during my La Salle High years, primarily due to the critical thinking skills that were honed in those English classes. I also laughed a lot during those sessions; both brothers knew the value of humor. My condolences to the McCabe family -- your father was an outstanding teacher and will be missed.
Patrick Doran
January 27, 2016
Ed McCabe was a tremendous teacher and an even better man. His ability to be at the same time both kind and demanding, and both serious and funny, was almost incomprehensible to me as a high school freshman. He truly inspired me. Little did I know at the time how blessed I was just to sit in his class and how rare a light he was. My condolences to his entire family, especially my classmate Peter and my other favorite teacher of all time, his brother Bernie. I can only imagine the wonderful memories you all hold dear.
Joe Braunschek
January 27, 2016
One of the best teachers I ever had, and a real inspiration. Thank you Mr. McCabe.
January 25, 2016
Dear Sally and Family,
We were so sorry to learn about Ed's passing. He was a wonderful guy and a legendary teacher. You will be in our warmest thoughts.
Jim and Marianne Roche
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