Obituary

Anthony Lawrence "Larry" McCabe dies at 81

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Anthony Lawrence “Larry” McCabe, a former Rockville Centre resident, died unexpectedly on Aug. 25 with his wife of 59 years, Betty, at his bedside. He was 81.

Born on March 4, 1929 in Brooklyn, Larry graduated from St. John’s Prep in 1948 and attended St. John’s University. From there he joined the U.S. Army and proudly served during the Korean War. After completing his military obligation, he returned home to New York and became a New York City police officer. He retired after 20 years at the rank of 2nd grade detective, and went on to work as the security director for two Wall Street firms before retiring for the second time to Albuquerque, N.M. in 1987.

On June 23, 1951, Larry married Betty Haran, and so began a love affair and the start of a beautiful life together. The McCabe clan would ultimately grow to number seven girls and three boys. They moved to the Village of Rockville Centre in 1962 and settled into a wonderful neighborhood and community where they happily resided for 25 years. Larry coached RVC Little League teams, and he and Betty were active members of St. Agnes Parish where all of their children attended school. They worked hard and sacrificed to care for such a large family, but theirs was a happy home never lacking for love, affection, laughter and a sympathetic ear over a cup of tea.

Larry was a big, broad Irishman perfectly built to serve and protect, but his real strengths lay in his gentleness, his tremendous faith in God and his love for his wife and family. He was a hardworking man of infinite patience and integrity, and he raised his children on a steady diet of family loyalty, strong Christian beliefs and compassion for others.

Larry will be fondly remembered for his genial manner, easy smile, considerate nature and beautiful tenor. He possessed a genuine warmth and kindness, and was quick to offer a needed hug, gentle nudge or wink of encouragement. At day’s end he enjoyed nothing more than sitting on the front porch of his North Village Avenue home, smoking his pipe while listening to a baseball game or his Irish music, and passing the time with family and friends. He had a wonderful life full of love and many blessings and as he often loved to sing in thanksgiving, “My Cup Runneth Over.”

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his 10 children and their spouses, Betty Ann McDermott (Terry); Kathleen Potapchuk (John); Maureen Kilcommons (Tom); Rita Ollquist (Bob); Eileen Patrick (Mike); Jeanne Reiffenberger (Rich); sons Larry McCabe (Michelle); Kevin McCabe (Debbie), Brian McCabe (Cathy), 33 beloved grandchildren; devoted siblings Patricia Karl, Veronica Potter and brother Daniel McCabe, many nieces, nephews and friends.

Larry was laid to rest on a knoll with a view of the New Mexico mountains he had come to love, following a Mass of Christian Burial at the Church of the Incarnation in Rio Rancho. Visit Daniels Family Funeral Home’s website at www.danielsfuneral home.com for details and condolences. Friends and relatives can make a donation to the Church of the Incarnation Building Fund, 2309 Monterrey Road, Rio Rancho, N.M., 87124.