Obituary of Bernard Ivan McCabe

BERNARD IVAN McCABE Dec 25, 1923 - Jan 22, 2012 Ivan passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Veterans Wing of Wascana Rehabilitation Centre shortly after his 88th birthday. He will be remembered and sadly missed by Bertha, his devoted wife of 66 years; his daughter Carol (Bob) Johnson; and his granddaughter Christine Johnson (Donnie Yee); numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. He is survived by his sister Gloria Kosior (Regina), and brother George (Muriel) McCabe (Kitchener ON), as well as his sisters-in-law Nora Carlson (Strasbourg), Marion McCabe (Regina), Ruth McCabe (Regina), Marion McCabe (Kelowna BC), Janet McCabe (Saskatoon), Beth Newsome (Weyburn), Minn Gillis (Barrie ON), Thelma Smith (Regina), and brother-in-law Gordon Steinke (Calgary). He was predeceased by his parents Jack and Greta McCabe, sister Bernice, and brothers Doug, Jim, Leo, Joe, and Bill. Ivan was born in Wawota, the eldest of 9 children, and spent most of his childhood in Weyburn, where he met and married his wife Bert in April of 1945. He joined the navy in 1941 and served as a cook on HMCS Orangeville during WWII. Following the war, he opened a small restaurant in Carlyle. In 1952 he joined the RCAF and served as a member of the Air Force Police in Germany, Ontario, and Manitoba. He worked his way up the ranks to the position as head of the Eastern Security Investigations Unit for all of Europe and Eastern Canada. He retired from the Armed Forces in 1967, moved to Regina, and together with his brother Jim, operated the Husky House Restaurant from 1967 until he retired in 1986. He came out of retirement in 1989 to operate McCabe's Restaurant in White City and retired again in 1991. Ivan was always willing to lend a helping hand and will always be remembered for his generosity his sense of humor and his optimistic outlook on life. The family wishes to thank the staff of the Veterans Wing for their constant support, understanding, caring, patience, compassion, and never-ending hard work. Special thanks to Loretta, Peter and Louise whose visits always meant so much to him. Also thanks to his barber, Roberto, who made regular visits to Wascana to keep Ivan looking his best. At Ivan's request, he will be cremated and his ashes will be interred at a private family service. Flowers are most gratefully declined, but those wishing to do so may send donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of SK, 279 3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 2H8, the Canadian Diabetes Association Southern SK, 917 Albert Street, Regina, SK, S4R 2P6, the Alzheimer Society of SK Inc., 301 2550 12th Avenue, Regina, SK, S4P 3X1 or the charity of their choice. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.speersfuneralchapel.com