James P McCabe

James Patrick McCabe, Ph.D. died at the Pines at Poughkeepsie Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Poughkeepsie, NY on September 15^th at the age of 84. 

Jim was born on May 24, 1937, in Philadelphia, PA, to Felix and Josephine McCabe.  In 1953, while still in high school, he became a novitiate of the Oblates of St. Francis DeSales.  He served as a brother in the order until 1988.  Jim graduated summa cum laude from Niagara University in 1963 and earned three graduate degrees at the University of Michigan: a master’s in English literature, a master’s in library science, and a doctorate.  For more than two decades he served as library director at Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales in Pennsylvania, now known as DeSales University, where he oversaw the creation and building of the Trexler Library.  Jim was a beloved member of the Theatre and Speech faculty and served as lighting designer for every theatrical production at the college from 1969 to 1988.  After a brief tenure as the acting library director for Muhlenberg-Cedar Crest Colleges Libraries in Allentown, PA, he moved to New York City and became the director of libraries at Fordham University, Bronx, NY.  There he oversaw the design and construction of the William D. Walsh Library, completed in 1997, and he is credited with leading the Fordham libraries into the digital age.  He held that position for twenty-two years, until his retirement in 2012.

He served on the Metropolitan New York Library Council’s Board of Trustees and on the Historical Preservation Commission for Westfield, NJ.  He wrote Critical Guide to Catholic Reference Books (Libraries Unlimited, 1971), a series of annotated entries on topics related to the Catholic Church, including liturgy, social sciences, and literature. 

Jim is survived by two siblings, Aileen McClure and John McCabe, and numerous nieces and nephews: William McClure, Kathy McClure, Diane McCabe, Allison McCabe, James Carroll, Jennifer Carlin, Felix Carroll, Chris Carroll, Nancy McCabe, Daniel McCabe, Keith McCabe, and Jonathan McCabe.  He is predeceased by two siblings, Francis McCabe, and Ann Carroll.

Family and friends are invited to gather Friday, September 24, 2021, from 10 - 11 am at St Ephrem Church, 5400 Hulmeville Road, Bensalem PA 19020.  Funeral mass will begin at 11 am.  Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s honor may be made to the book fund at Fordham University Library.

By check:  Payable to Fordham University Library

Attn. Linda LoSchiavo
Director of Libraries
Walsh Library, Suite 219
441 East Fordham Road
Bronx, NY 10458

Online:

www.fordham.edu/give

Several funds are listed.  Click OTHER, then indicate "Fordham University Library, in honor of James McCabe."