Obituary of Joseph E McCabe

Joseph E. McCabe, 93, Retired Lt. Colonel of the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Police, passed away on Sunday, January 24. He was the beloved husband of the late Lillian H. (Keiley) McCabe who passed in 2015. Born and raised in Roslindale, he was the son of the late John, and the late Helen (Glynn) McCabe. Immediately after graduating from Roslindale High School at age 17, Joseph enlisted in the United States Navy, and served during World War II. Joseph began his career in law enforcement with the Boston Police Department, where he worked for several years before transferring to the former Registry of Motor Vehicles Police. While with the Registry Police, Joseph served as head of Special Investigations, and was promoted through the ranks, to Lieutenant Colonel, and Assistant Registrar when he retired in 1987. Following his retirement from the Registry, Joseph worked as Vice President of the National Check Protection Agency. After Joe’s retirement, he and his wife Lilly were able to travel extensively. He was an avid boater and golfer, and he was a member of the Marshfield Yacht Club. Joseph loved spending time in Humarock, and traveling to Marco Island, Florida. He also loved fine dining, relaxing on his front porch, and always appreciated a good “Manhattan.” Joseph was the father of Isabelle M. McCabe and her partner Stephen Gentile of Hampton, NH, Joseph E. McCabe Jr. and his wife Victoria of Scituate, John L. McCabe and his wife Lisa of Woburn, the late Matthew J. McCabe and his wife Melissa of Seabrook, NH, and Robert A. McCabe and his wife Lucille of Woburn. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, John McCabe, Jr., Jennifer, Aislinn, Gino, Molly, Morgan, and Kelly McCabe, Robert McCabe, Jr., and Melanie Carroll; and four great grandchildren, Mason, Madison, and Mila, and Jack McCabe. He was preceded in death by his brother, the late Jack McCabe, and he is survived by his sister-in-law, Mary McCabe; and numerous nieces and nephews. The funeral will be from the Graham Funeral Home, 3 Arlington Rd. (Cor. of Pleasant St.) Woburn on Friday, January 29 at 9:00 am, followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Barbara’s Church, Woburn at 10:00 am. Visiting hours will be on Thursday evening from 4-8 pm. Burial with Military Honors will be at the Holyhood Cemetery in Brookline. Per current Covid-19 restrictions, we kindly ask that that everyone in attendance wear a face covering, and observe social distancing guidelines during all services and at all venues. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Assn., 10 Speen St., 2nd Fl., Framingham, MA 01701. (www.diabetes.org)