More detail on this person: Robert J. McCabe Jr., 74, of Westchester, IL, former longtime resident of River Forest, passed onto eternal life on June 25, 2017. He was born to the late Robert and Helen McCabe, March 29, 1943 in Selma, Alabama. He grew up in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Bob attended the University of Cincinnati, where he played football and enrolled in the Army ROTC. Upon graduating, he went onto Officers Training and Flight School. He served his country proudly in the Vietnam War where he was stationed in Vinh Long, Vietnam from 1968-69. He was a Captain and a Helicopter Pilot, and held positions including Platoon Leader in an Assault Aviation Company, Company Commander in the Army Security Agency, and Group Aviation Maintenance Officer. Bob was awarded several medals for distinguished service, including the Bronze Star. Bob's mission was to do all he could to make sure the country he loved so much was defended. Upon returning, he married his beautiful "bride", Kathleen, whom he loved with his whole heart, in 1970. He was an incredibly loving and devoted father to their five children. They raised their family in River Forest, where they created many lifelong friendships. Bob cherished his family and loved spending quality time with all of them. Bob was proud to be a "Coalman", brokering coal sales in the energy industry for over 40 years. However, of all of Bob's achievements, he was most proud of his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen (nee Sittler), his children Robert III (Amy), Kevin (Tara), Brian (Katherine), Julie (Dan) Stratis, and Jenny (Marc) Hans. He was an especially proud Papa to his fourteen grandchildren, Nora, Sean, Brendan, Sadie, Madeline, Jacob, Aiden, Henry, Jackson, Danny, Ellie, Charlie, Charlie, and Chloe. He treasured his sisters Cindy (Don) Langguth and Terry (James) Riley, Sister-in-law Mary Ellen (the late Daniel) Gibbs, and Brother-in-Law, Ed (Joni) Sittler. Bob was very blessed with his extended family, many nieces and nephews, dear friends and people that cared for him. He had a gift of making everyone's day brighter. He loved to make people smile, including his family and good friends, the Starbucks barista, the mail carrier, and even the hospital cafeteria worker, who was convinced that she made the best tuna fish sandwich after he called to tell her. Visitation Thursday 4-8 PM at Hursen Funeral Home & Crematory, SW corner of Roosevelt & Mannheim Rds, Hillside/Westchester. Family and friends to meet Friday at Ascension Catholic Church, 808 S. East Ave., Oak Park, for 11 AM Funeral Mass. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Fisher House Foundation (https://donate.fisherhouse.org), which provides support to military families. Published in a Chicago Tribune Media Group Publication from June 28 to June 29, 201
Burial information: Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery
This information was last updated 06/28/2017
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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