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ROCKY RIVER -- The west side of Cleveland lost a pillar of service Monday, May 3, 2021, when Edward Jerome (Jerry) McCabe, 80, died peacefully at his home, surrounded by loved ones.
Jerry attended St. Patrick Elementary School in Youngstown for eight years. After completing six years at St. Fidelis Seminary in Butler, Pa., he chose to become a diocesan priest. He then attended St. Mary Seminary in Cincinnati. Following his ordination, Jerry was assigned to Sacred Heart Parish in Youngstown and then to St. Pius X in Warren. After five years of serving his parishioners, he chose a different path and began his career in social service in the juvenile justice system, which led him to Florence Crittenten Services, where he served as executive director of for 23 years.
In retirement, Jerry served as a lector at his church, St. Paul's Shrine. He also served his community, delivering food for the homeless at St. Malachi's, greeting international ships at Seamen's Service, leading Metro-West Kiwanis as president for two terms, and devoting time and energy to the Rocky River Senior Center. He will likely be most fondly remembered for his wonderful singing voice, with numerous on-stage performances with the Rocky River Senior Players, his performances at Fairview hospital, Hospice of the Western Reserve, and at assisted living homes in Southern California and around Cleveland's west side. Dressed in his signature tuxedo, he enchanted his audiences singing Frank Sinatra songs, show tunes and numerous holiday favorites. He enjoyed annual Super Bowl weekend trips to Las Vegas with his brothers. Closer to home, he was an avid golfer and enjoyed the game with his grandsons, son-in-law and many friends.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Carol; their daughter, Kelli Koch (Kraemer) (Timothy) and two grandsons, Adam and Alex of Westlake; and a very special foster daughter, Darla Brewer Mondry (Matthew) of Concord; and a very dear French daughter, Beatrice Bettignies Thiebaux (Christophe) of Paris, France.
In addition, Jerry leaves three brothers, Jim of Hemet, Calif., Randy (Shirley) of Orange Beach, Ala., Jeff (Patty) of Las Vegas, Nev.; and two sisters, Pat (Mike) of Poland and Connie (Mike) of Manhattan Beach, Calif.; along with many cousins, nieces, nephews and numerous friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Lois McCabe (nee Bonzo).
Private services were held at St. Agnes, Our Lady of Fatima Church in Cleveland.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Rocky River Senior Council, 21014 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River, OH 44116, or Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110.
(special notice)