 Fr.
Stephen Terence Chrysler McCabe, OP
Father Stephen Chrysler McCabe OP died February 26, 2008, at Alaska Regional
Hospital. He was a Dominican friar, and had lived in Anchorage, Alaska
since 1996, when poor health prompted him to retire from active pastoral
duties.
Stephen was born in Belfield, North
Dakota on June 1, 1932 to John Michael McCabe and Marion Chrysler McCabe.
His family moved to Medford, Oregon in 1940, and he attended Medford
schools, graduating from Medford Senior High in 1950.
Throughout life he was burdened with
chronic health problems which prompted his transfer from Georgetown
University to the University of Oregon, and ultimately to Santa Clara
University where he graduated in 1955. In 1956, he responded to a vocation
by entering the Dominican Novitiate at Saint Albert’s College in Oakland,
California, thus commencing the process which culminated in his ordination
as a Catholic priest in December, 1962.
After graduate study and initial
assignments at Dominican University, and priories in Berkeley and Seattle, a
talent for administration resulted in a long tenure at the Provincial
offices in Oakland where he served from 1975 to 1981 as Prior, Vicar
Provincial, and Prior Provincial (1981-1985). From his very happy
collegiate experience at Santa Clara through the conclusion of his term as
Elected Prior Provincial of the Western Dominican Province, he was very much
rooted in the spiritual, intellectual and cultural life of the Bay area
Blessed with a keen intellect,
fierce wit, and prodigious memory for both substance and trivia, Father
McCabe had a remarkable talent for forming and maintaining friendships.
Some were based on a mutual love and appreciation for classical and operatic
music. This was an abiding interest which preoccupied Stephen from early
childhood.
However, music was not the only
bonding agent, nor does it explain the wide spectrum of friends, rich and
poor, intellectual and not, young and old, whom Stephen loved and treasured,
and who are deeply saddened by his death. One spoke for many, declaring
that he would “give anything for one more chat with Stephen.”
His parents preceded him in death.
He is survived by his two sisters, Eleanor Cooney of Medford, Oregon, and
Sylvia Wade, of Anchorage, Alaska, and five nieces and four nephews.
A requiem Mass will be held at St.
Albert’s Priory, Oakland, California on Thursday, March 6 at 10:30 a.m.
Burial will follow at the Dominican Cemetery, Benicia, California. There
will be a memorial Mass in Anchorage at Holy Family Cathedral at 9:00 a.m.
on March 14, 2008
Memorial contributions may be made
to the Dominican Mission Foundation,
P.O. Box 15367, San Francisco, California 94115-0367.
Hugh G. Wade
Brother-in-law
|
