Obituary of Thomas J. McCabe

Thomas J. McCabe, 55, a long time resident of East Hampton passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on April 10, 2012. Tom was a loving father, brother, son, uncle and friend. The beloved son of William F. and the late Helen Fagan McCabe, he was born in New Britain on October 13, 1956. He was a wonderful father to his four children, Drew, Chase, Craig and Taryn. Tom graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a Bachelors Degree in physical education and a Masters Degree in Science. He received an additional graduate degree from Sacred Heart University. A lifelong athlete, he was a graduate of New Britain High School and a member of the 1972 and 1974 State Championship Class LL baseball teams. Besides his four children, Tom is survived by his Father, William F. McCabe, sister Sheila and brother-in-law Allen King all of Kensington and his brother Patrick and sister-in-law Carol of West Harford and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother Helen and brother William McCabe. For over 30 years Tom was a respected teacher, coach and school administrator. For the past four years, he was the Athletic Director and Coordinator of Student Activities for the Rocky Hill Public School System. Prior to that, he was a teacher in the East Hampton and Glastonbury School systems. During his life as a physical education teacher and coach, Tom touched the lives of thousands of Connecticut students and athletes. He had a passion for working with student athletes and served as a mentor both on and off the field. Tom's coaching career included head coaching positions in high school boys baseball and football, and girls lacrosse and basketball. He coached high school teams in Windsor, New Britain, East Hampton, Glastonbury and Southington. Early in his life Tom coached baseball teams in the New Britain Babe Ruth League and the American Legion league. He relished his years coaching high school football and was a dedicated New England Patriots fan. Tom's dedication to his students and players was only surpassed by his deep love for his four wonderful children. Tom was also proud of his Irish heritage. Friends and relatives are invited to calling hours Thursday 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Farrell Funeral Home 110 Franklin Sq. New Britain. Tom's friends are invited to go directly to St. Patrick's Church, East Hampton Friday for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 A.M. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain. Tom's family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of the Smilo Cancer Center at Yale New Haven Hospital for their care and support of Tom, the compassionate nurses and staff at the Middlesex Hospital Hospice, and the support from his friends and colleagues at Rocky Hill High School. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Thomas J. McCabe Children's Education Fund, c/o Liberty Bank 1169 Farmington Avenue, Berlin, CT 06037.