John L. McCabe Jr., of Morgantown, died Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, at home, with his devoted wife of 55 years and his family by his side. He was 80.
John was born Aug. 31, 1943, in Chicago, the son of the late John L. McCabe Sr. and Helen Fleming McCabe.
He was a graduate of Morgantown High School and attended West Virginia University before being called into service to our nation.
His military career began at Fort Sill, Okla., for basic training, and he later would attend Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, receiving his commission as a second lieutenant. He returned to Morgantown and served for 21 years with the 201st Field Artillery Battalion of the West Virginia National Guard. He retired with the rank of lieutentant colonel and served as the 201st’s Battalion commander from 1982-85.
John, his father and his late brother, Dennis, ran the family’s auto parts and Direct Auto Parts stores in Morgantown. John could be found daily in the machine shop, where he spent more than 40 years rebuilding engines of every possible variation. He took pride in the fact he never had an engine fail due to an issue with his rebuild, a testament to his attention to detail and his knowledge of certain idiosyncrasies of the automobile manufacturers and their products.
In retirement, John loved to tinker — and buy tools. He had a gadget for every occasion, and always kept a neat, organized shop. His collection included tools that no one could imagine a use for, and duplicates of many others — just because you can never have enough tools.
John was a five-plus decade member of the Joseph W. Summers Masonic Lodge #173 and a 32nd degree Mason with the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Valley of Wheeling, Orient of West Virginia.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Dennis McCabe and his sister, Sheila Harmison. He also was preceded in death by his in-laws, John and Mary Toth; his sisters-in-law, JoAnn Toth and Rosemary Hoholick; and his brothers-in-law John, Michael and Ronald Toth.
Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Ellen Toth McCabe. He also is survived by his three children: Jonna Hern of Morgantown, John (Kristen) McCabe of Wheeling and Jennifer Stiles of Morgantown; eight grandchildren: Alex Dalton of Severn, Md.; Zayne Hern, Quinton, Elias and Bella Stiles, all of Morgantown; Melina McCabe (Michael Butts) of Pittsburgh; and Isaac and Elliana McCabe of Wheeling; 20 nieces and nephews; his sisters-in-law Janet McCabe, Geraldine Toth and Carole Toth; and his brothers-in-law Charlie Toth and his wife Larissa, Bob Toth and his wife Sharon, George Harmison and Ed Hoholick.
The family would like to extend special appreciation to the nurses with WVU Medicine Hospice, especially Marissa, Alicia, Trish and his aide Stacy. Also a very special thank you to Dr. Jerry Hadrych for giving his time and talents to assisting John in his final months, and to Mary Sommers for the invaluable help she provided.
Friends and family will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, on Wednesday, Sept. 13, from 4-7 p.m. and again on Thursday, Sept., 14,from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. with Father James Fraser officiating. Interment will follow at Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens with military funeral rites being conducted by VFW Post #9916, #548, and the United States Army.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in John’s name can be made to St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church Building Fund, 2115 Listravia Ave., Morgantown, WV 26501 or to WVU Medicine Hospice, 12 Rousch Drive, Westover, WV 26501.
Condolences:
hastingsfuneralhome.com
