Eulogy given by
Br. William Spellman, FSC
If there is one word that could describe Steve best, it would be strength. On this day of both sadness and joy, we are fully aware of what part you, Hugh, and all your family, and your good mother, Charlotte, have contributed to Steve’s strength.
Steve has made many good friends in Lincroft, Syracuse, and Staten Island, and we know how much he appreciated all of you. Special thanks to Paul, Rich, and Anna from Syracuse, for your support and friendship. Thank you to all for being with us today as we celebrate Steve’s entrance into eternal life.
I have known Steve since we were kids in St. Cecilia School in Greenpoint. Even then, as young as he was, he was always strong in his beliefs and in his behavior. He was a wonderful student and had a great affection for Brother Joseph Finnegan who turned out to be his sponsor when he became a Brother in 1947. Brother Joseph’s strong personality and faith were a great influence on Steve.
Strength can be described in many ways, and if we were to go around the room today, we could list many of them. To me, strength in Steve’s life was displayed in ways that became an inspiration to many. He majored in Latin when he was in college and taught for several years as a young Brother. Before long, his strong leadership qualities were recognized, and he was tabbed for administration in many of our schools. He has been a Brother for sixty-four years and fifty-six of those years were spent in administration of one kind or another. I’ve always looked upon him as a real trouble shooter. When there was a problem in any of our schools, Steve would be called upon to go there and settle things down. He was a principal in five different schools for a total of twenty years. He was director of five different communities for a total of thirteen years. He was the Director of Education in the District of New York three different times for a total of fourteen years. Finally, he assisted two different Provincials as their associate for a total of nine years. If you count up all those years, they total fifty-six years!
His strength and steadiness were recognized as qualities that could be of service to others: Brothers, teachers, and former students. Steve brought strength and steadiness to schools and made them better places of learning. He worked individually with teachers and administrators and made them better. He had a toughness and a kindness that people appreciated. He was also thorough in his educational approach. This caused him to be admired by educators in all the Districts across the American Region.
When the new Lasallian terminology became popular, he recognized the need for a publication that would recognize and publicize what our Lasallian schools are all about. Every school and community received a book called “Lasallian Themes” which enabled them to spread the word. As a community man, he was wonderful. He could make the switch from school man to community man quite easily.
His mature outlook on men living together, combined with his kindness and sense of humor made him a treasure to live with. He had great faith in God and in the teachings of our Founder. Steve spent some great years at De La Salle Hall, serving Brothers who needed his help.
There is a short literary piece called “Desiderata” which lists pieces of advice for all of us. When I read it recently, I thought of Steve and how many of these things he had incorporated into his life and had shared with us.
As I read three of these, think of Steve and how they were a part of his life and how they made him such an extraordinary person.
1) “Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence.”
2) “Speak your truth quietly and clearly and listen to others. Be yourself!”
And, returning to the quality we began with, Steve’s strength, we offer this final piece of “Desiderata.”
3) “Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune and above all, be at peace with God.”
Steve’s strength, along with the kindness of all, helped him immensely in his final days and hours at De La Salle Hall.
We thank you, Steve, for your fraternity, your kindness, your leadership, and your strength. Rest in peace!
Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of
Br. Stephen McCabe, FSC
Born Joseph Edward McCabe in Brooklyn, NY on July 17, 1928
Entered the Barrytown Juniorate on September 1, 1943, and Novitiate on June 28, 1947
Received the Religious Habit and Name, Brother Agatho Stephen, on September 7, 1947
Pronounced Perpetual Vows in Troy, NY in 1953
Brother Stephen died at De La Salle Hall in Lincroft, NJ, on January 16, 2012
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Viewing from 2:00 – 4:00 pm and 6:00 – 8:00 pm
De La Salle Hall
810 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, NJ 07738-1608
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am
De La Salle Hall
810 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, NJ 07738-1608
Burial at St. Gabriel’s Cemetery, Marlboro, NJ
SUFFRAGES FOR OUR DECEASED BROTHER STEPHEN
District: 50 masses
De La Salle Hall community: 30 masses
Each community in the District: 1 mass
Brother Stephen passed away quietly and peacefully on Monday afternoon at De La Salle Hall. May he rest in peace.
Tour of Duty
1952-1957
teacher
New York, NY
Good Shepherd School
1957-1959
teacher
New York, NY
St. Bernard’s School
1959-1960
teacher, pro-director
New York, NY
Day Juniorate, St. Bernard’s School
1960-1963
principal and director
Bronx, NY
St. John’s School
1963-1965
teacher and pro-director
Lincroft, NJ
Christian Brothers Academy
1965-1968
teacher and director
Lincroft, NJ
Christian Brothers Academy
1968-1972
prin. & superv. of schools (as of ‘70)
Lincroft, NJ
Christian Brothers Academy
1972-1977
director of education
Lincroft, NJ
La Salle Provincialate
1977-1981
principal & director of education (until 6/78)
New York, NY
La Salle Academy
1981-1984
associate provincial
Lincroft, NJ
La Salle Provincialate
1984-1987
principal
Staten Island, NY
St. Peter’s H S for Boys
1987-1993
principal
Syracuse, NY
Christian Brothers Academy
1993-1996
director
Lincroft, NJ
LSP Development Office/Lasallian Family
1996-2002
auxiliary provincial/director of education
Lincroft, NJ
La Salle Provincialate
2002-2007
director
Lincroft, NJ
De La Salle Hall
2007-2009
community director
Syracuse, NY
Christian Brothers Academy
2009-2011
retired
Lincroft, NJ
Christian Brothers Academy
2011-2012
retired
Lincroft, NJ
De La Salle Hall
Was thinking about Bro Stephen and recalling the positive influence he had on my time at CBA (class of 1969) and afterward.