William J. McCabe, 85

William J. McCabe, age 85, a well known and respected Tewksbury resident, died Tuesday evening, January 29, at Lowell General, Saint’s Campus, from complications of a heart attack.

His heart attack came at the conclusion of last week's trial of one of the men accused of murdering Bill’s son, John McCabe, who was killed in 1969.  In a heart-breaking decision for Bill and his family, a not guilty decision was reached, following Bill’s 42 year search for truth and justice.

Bill was the beloved and devoted husband of Evelyn D. (Spellman) McCabe, with whom he had celebrated a 61^st wedding anniversary this past June 3^rd.

He was born in Boston, a son of the late John M. and Helen J. (Doran) McCabe.  He was raised Boston.  He enlisted into the U.S. Navy during WW2, and served in the Medical Corps aboard the U.S.S. Consolation, and at the Coco Solo Naval Hospital in the Panama Canal Zone.  He was awarded the Victory Medal upon his honorable discharge.

After his marriage in 1951, Bill and Evelyn moved to Tewksbury to raise their family.  He was employed as a microwave engineer for Avco Textron until his retirement.

He was a communicant of St. William’s Church, a member of the Silvertone’s Band, where he played keyboards. He was a reading volunteer at the Trahan School in Tewksbury, where he promoted literacy on a one to one basis with hundreds of  students over the years.

For recreation, Bill enjoyed golf.

Besides his devoted wife, he leaves two daughters and sons-in-law, Deborah McCabe-Atamanchuk and her husband Stephen of Merrimack, NH and Roberta McCabe-Donovan and her husband David of Dracut; seven grandchildren, Jon Howarth of Windham, Matthew Vincenty of CA, Lindsey Vincenty of NY, Rebecca McCabe-Atamanchuk of Merrimack, NH, Carolanne Donovan, Sara-Jean Donovan, and Emily Donovan all of Dracut; three great grandchildren, Julia, Lilly, and Zoey; three brothers, Harry McCabe of Arlington, Paul McCabe and his wife Joan  of Newton, Frank McCabe of Quincy;  a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert and Gloria Spellman of Windham, NH; and several nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours Thursday, Jan. 31, from 3 to 8 p.m. in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of 1 Dewey and 975 Main St. (Rte 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER, phone (800 in MA or 978) 851 2950.   His funeral will begin Friday, Feb. 1, at 10:00 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass Friday at 11:00 a.m. in St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St. (Rte 38) Tewksbury.  Burial with Navy Honors, beside his beloved son, will follow at Tewksbury Cemetery.  tewksburyfuneralhome.com