CPGA expresses condolences to the family and friends of longtime CPGA member, Pat McCabe. Pat was one of the five founding Associate Members of CPGA.
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Patrick Alexander McCabe, at age 65, passed away peacefully on the morning of November 1st, 2021. A native Knoxvillian, Pat grew up in the Bearden area attending Knoxville Catholic High School and graduating from Bearden High School. His passion for gardening, starting at an early age, led him to a degree from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor’s of Science in Landscape Design and Ornamental Horticulture. He studiously squeezed 4 years of undergraduate studies into 5 years. During his time at UT he joined Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity where he made lifelong friends and met many women, one of whom became his wife. He spent the next few years working in the landscape design business in both Tennessee and Virginia.
In 1989, Pat moved back to Knoxville to accept a sales position for Chris Georges Sales Natural Gas Utility Products. He was a contributing member of the Tennessee Gas Association, Carolina Public Gas Association, and American Public Gas Association. A natural born salesman, he was well loved by his customers and coworkers. He brought the fun and happiness to everyday work life. Once he returned to Knoxville, Pat became reacquainted with Joy Georges and could not wait to become her husband.
Together Joy and Pat welcomed a son, Chris McCabe, born during the blizzard of 1993. Following in Pat’s footsteps, Chris attended the University of Tennessee and joined Lambda Chi Alpha; at the same time Pat renewed his involvement in the fraternity. He helped shape young men into responsible adults by serving as the Chapter’s Alumni Adviser for five years and serving on the Housing Corporation as treasurer for almost 10 years.
Pat served as president of the Scottish Society of Knoxville for many years as well as chairing committees for the Smoky Mountain Highland Games. He was the force behind the current Robert Burns Dinner held every January. Continuing his love of outdoor design, he served several terms on the Fox Den Architectural Review Board. Later in life, Pat found a special place that he loved. It was the family’s “Pond House” in the South Georgia country side. Pat was able to pull from his creative talent for design to continually improve the property.
Being the fifth of ten children set the foundation for Pat’s love of family history and all things family. His family grew when Chris married Savannah Dabney in November of 2019. Pat was preceded in death by his parents Robert A. McCabe Sr. and Elizabeth N. McCabe. Survivors: wife of 31 years, Joy Georges McCabe; son Christopher Robert McCabe and wife Savannah Dabney McCabe; 9 brothers and sisters, Rob (Jennie), Nancy Van Vleet (Don), Mike (Stephanie), Susan Lorentz (Tim), Ann Bodie (Jerry), Dan, Laura Harty (Mike), Mary Wolf (Chip), and John (Mandy).
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 pm on Saturday, November 6th, 2021at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 711 Northshore Drive Knoxville. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 pm in the Cathedral Hall. Pall Bearers are Jerry Bodie, Bo Connor, Scott Fugate, Tim Lorentz, Daniel McCabe, John McCabe, Mike McCabe, and Rob McCabe. Honorary Pall Bearers are Shawn Aiken, Matt Ballard, Edward Kelley, and Mark Loveday.
Memorials honoring Pat may be made to Sacred Heart Cathedral, shcathedral.weshareonline.org, or the charity of your choice.