James P. McCabe, Former Co-Director of the Fordham Libraries, Dies at 84
COURTESY OF JENIFER CARLIN
From Left to Right: James McCabe, John McCabe, and Francis McCabe at the opening of Walsh Library.
October 2, 2021
James “Jim” Patrick McCabe, who held a Ph.D. in library sciences and is credited with revolutionizing the Fordham library services through his 22-year career, died on Sept. 15 at the Poughkeepsie Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Poughkeepsie, New York. He was 84 years old.
University President Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., announced McCabe’s death in an email to the Fordham community on Sept. 19, 2021.
“Jim was regarded with respect, admiration, and affection in the University community,” McShane wrote. “Thanks to his efforts, our students and faculty may draw from a far deeper well of information in pursuit of learning and scholarship.”
In 1953, while still enrolled in high school, McCabe became a novitiate of the Oblates of St. Francis DeSales.
McCabe was born on May 24, 1937, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Felix and Josephine McCabe. Both of his parents were immigrants from Ireland. His mother was a nurse who often occupied the night shift, and his father was a lineman for a telephone company, where he managed wires.
In 1953, while still enrolled in high school, McCabe became a novitiate of the Oblates of St. Francis DeSales, where he served as a brother in the order until 1988. He graduated summa cum laude from Niagara University in 1963 and earned a master’s degree in English literature and library sciences from the University of Michigan, in addition to a doctorate in library sciences.
McCabe then served as the library director for two decades at Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he oversaw the creation and construction of the Trexler Library. He was also the theatre lighting designer for theatre productions from 1969 to 1988.
“Perhaps his greatest legacy is the Walsh Library itself, a five-story tribute to a man who clearly saw the future within Fordham’s reach.”Linda LoShiavo, Fordham director of libraries
McCabe then became the acting library director at Muhlenberg-Cedar Crest Colleges Libraries in Allentown, PA. Following his term at Muhlenberg, McCabe moved to New York City, where he arrived at Fordham in 1990, and immediately became engrossed in the development of the William D. Walsh Family Library at the Rose Hill campus.
Linda LoShiavo, the current director of libraries at Fordham and McCabe’s successor, noted his commitment to public service and the distribution of information and resources as the backbone of a comprehensive library.
She explained that McCabe transformed Fordham’s library services, propelling them into the 21st century. He updated hard copy reference books with CD and later digital formats and combined recently developed online catalogs with more integrated systems, which allowed users to locate books, databases and other documents in one venue.
McCabe combined the three disparate libraries into one and relocated the Fordham library into a larger academic arena and community. His collaborations with the local and New York Metro area boards widened the range and career advancements for the Fordham library staff.
“Perhaps his greatest legacy is the Walsh Library itself, a five-story tribute to a man who clearly saw the future within Fordham’s reach,” LoShiavo said.
She recalled McCabe’s wit, intelligence and intellectual curiosity.
Though McCabe never married or had children, he was dedicated to spending time with his family.
“He celebrated joyful and happy events with the staff, along with the sad days, when he shared our sorrow. We were lucky to have him for as long as we did,” she said. “He managed to achieve this with unshakable common sense, a respect for all, and an unfailing sense of graciousness to everyone he encountered.”
Though McCabe never married or had children, he was dedicated to spending time with his family. Born into a family of five children, McCabe was close with his siblings: Aileen McClure, John McCabe, Francis McCabe and Ann Caroll. The five often spent their nights together.
The five siblings cultivated numerous memories with each other and maintained relationships up to the present.
“He was just the most content human being I’ve ever met.”Jennifer Carlin, James P. McCabe’s niece
Jennifer Carlin, McCabe’s niece, recounted the family picnics he planned annually in New York City.
“Every year, we would all get there from wherever we were. He would always lead the way — he was just so in his element in the city,” she said. “Lots of great memories of those family picnics.”
She recalled her fascination with his intelligence as a child and underscored McCabe’s wit, humor, gentle spirit, countenance and humility.
“He was just the most content human being I’ve ever met,” she said. “He affected so many people; it’s amazing how many lives he touched.”
McCabe lived close to Fordham Lincoln Center, at the intersection of 60th Street and Tenth Avenue.
Carlin emphasized McCabe’s tendency to listen rather than speak, establishing a profound impact on others with few words.
“He is a listener — he cares more about you than telling you about himself,” she said. “There’s lots of silence, but never uncomfortable silence. He lives with himself; he wants to hear more about you.
“I just always left time with him feeling better. You feel like you’re a better person just by being with him,” Carlin said.
“He was one of a kind, he led a very simple but joyful life.”Romain Frugé, friend to McCabe
McCabe served as a mentor and tutor for Romain Frugé, his close friend for nearly 40 years. The two met at DeSales University, then known as Allentown College, and traveled to a myriad of countries throughout their time together.
“I became an actor, and he would come to see me in shows everywhere from Japan to London,” Frugé said. “He was a great friend, always there with a wise council with wonderful guidance and inspiration.”
Frugé said McCabe enjoyed his many hobbies, which included theatre, ballet, spending time at the library and exploring New York City.
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McCabe lived close to Fordham Lincoln Center, at the intersection of 60th Street and Tenth Avenue, in a high rise by himself. When McCabe’s health worsened, Frugé moved him to upstate New York with him.
“He was one of a kind, he led a very simple but joyful life,” Frugé said.
McCabe is survived by two of his siblings, Aileen McClure and John McCabe, as well as his nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by two siblings, Francis McCabe and Ann Carroll. A memorial Mass was celebrated Friday, Sept. 24, at St. Ephrem Catholic Church in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.
