Obituary for Robert "Bob" McCabe
Robert “Bob” McCabe, External Affairs, Retired
Passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, at the age of 88, with his loving daughter, Heather, by his side. Cherished brother of Carole Woods (John) of Kelowna, BC, and Lynda Plante (Jim) of Rehoboth, Massachusetts. Dear father-in-law to Tom Oestreicher, and dear uncle to his many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his beloved wife Dorothy, son Stephen and parents Evelyn and Maurice.
Bob will forever be remembered as a quiet man, a man of honour and integrity, funny and loving with a very special talent and gift for growing African Violets. Founder and past president of the Ottawa African Violet Society, exhibitor, judge and editor of the Chatter magazine. Bob’s blooming legacy lives on.
Bob was born to Evelyn and Maurice McCabe in February 1933. He grew up in Saint John New Brunswick and was the older brother to Carole and Lynda. Bob was an air cadet and joined the RCAF after graduating. He spent 5-years at Radar sites in Northern Quebec, Ontario and Whitehorse. In 1956, Bob and Dorothy Smith (Dot) were married and they moved to Ottawa. Bob started a new job and joined External Affairs (now known as Global Affairs Canada). An exciting life of living and traveling to Europe was about to begin. Bob and Dot boarded a ship and they set sail to their first posting to Paris France. Bob worked in the Telecommunications Division at the Canadian Embassy. They welcomed the birth of their baby girl Heather. A few years later, they returned to Ottawa where their son Stephen was born. In the next few years, the McCabe family was posted to The Hague Netherlands, Paris France and Brussels Belgium where Bob was also a member of the Canadian delegation to NATO. The family retuned to Ottawa where Bob continued to work and travel visiting Canadian Embassies in Asia, Africa and Australia. Bob retired in the late-80s, but it was years earlier on their last posting to Brussels where Bob first developed a new hobby growing African Violets. This was just the start of a life long love, talent, gift. What an expert he was!! He was the recipient of many awards and recognition, “Best in Show”, “First in Show”, “Best in Class”. He was a founding member of the Ottawa African Violet Society, past president, lifetime member, exhibitor, judge and editor of the Chatter magazine. His legacy has spread far and wide. Rest in peace dear father, brother and uncle, you will be deeply missed by family and friends near and far.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry McGarry, 315 McLeod Street, Ottawa on Saturday May 8, 2021 at 11:30am. Interment to follow immediately, at Beechwood Cemetery. Due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, the service will be restricted to family members. A live streaming of Bob’s service will be available as a link on the bottom of Robert McCabe’s obituary page www.hpmcgarry.ca. A special heartfelt thanks to the staff at Billings Lodge Retirement Community for the loving care given to Bob. Donations to the Alzheimer Society or the Ottawa Heart Institute would be greatly appreciated.
Passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, at the age of 88, with his loving daughter, Heather, by his side. Cherished brother of Carole Woods (John) of Kelowna, BC, and Lynda Plante (Jim) of Rehoboth, Massachusetts. Dear father-in-law to Tom Oestreicher, and dear uncle to his many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his beloved wife Dorothy, son Stephen and parents Evelyn and Maurice.
Bob will forever be remembered as a quiet man, a man of honour and integrity, funny and loving with a very special talent and gift for growing African Violets. Founder and past president of the Ottawa African Violet Society, exhibitor, judge and editor of the Chatter magazine. Bob’s blooming legacy lives on.
Bob was born to Evelyn and Maurice McCabe in February 1933. He grew up in Saint John New Brunswick and was the older brother to Carole and Lynda. Bob was an air cadet and joined the RCAF after graduating. He spent 5-years at Radar sites in Northern Quebec, Ontario and Whitehorse. In 1956, Bob and Dorothy Smith (Dot) were married and they moved to Ottawa. Bob started a new job and joined External Affairs (now known as Global Affairs Canada). An exciting life of living and traveling to Europe was about to begin. Bob and Dot boarded a ship and they set sail to their first posting to Paris France. Bob worked in the Telecommunications Division at the Canadian Embassy. They welcomed the birth of their baby girl Heather. A few years later, they returned to Ottawa where their son Stephen was born. In the next few years, the McCabe family was posted to The Hague Netherlands, Paris France and Brussels Belgium where Bob was also a member of the Canadian delegation to NATO. The family retuned to Ottawa where Bob continued to work and travel visiting Canadian Embassies in Asia, Africa and Australia. Bob retired in the late-80s, but it was years earlier on their last posting to Brussels where Bob first developed a new hobby growing African Violets. This was just the start of a life long love, talent, gift. What an expert he was!! He was the recipient of many awards and recognition, “Best in Show”, “First in Show”, “Best in Class”. He was a founding member of the Ottawa African Violet Society, past president, lifetime member, exhibitor, judge and editor of the Chatter magazine. His legacy has spread far and wide. Rest in peace dear father, brother and uncle, you will be deeply missed by family and friends near and far.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry McGarry, 315 McLeod Street, Ottawa on Saturday May 8, 2021 at 11:30am. Interment to follow immediately, at Beechwood Cemetery. Due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, the service will be restricted to family members. A live streaming of Bob’s service will be available as a link on the bottom of Robert McCabe’s obituary page www.hpmcgarry.ca. A special heartfelt thanks to the staff at Billings Lodge Retirement Community for the loving care given to Bob. Donations to the Alzheimer Society or the Ottawa Heart Institute would be greatly appreciated.