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Raymond Gerald "Ray" McCabe, 90, of Martindale (Portage Township), went to Heaven in the loving embrace of Jesus on Saturday, surrounded by loved ones at his home in Martindale. Ray was born in Martindale to William and Victoria (Discavage) McCabe.
Ray is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty Lou (Inman); daughter, Debra Lou Douglas; grandson, Scott David McCabe; siblings: William, Florence Dolores "Dee" Stombaugh, Donald "Duck," Alvin "Mush," Bernard "Tuffy," Joyce Baxter and Thomas "Tom"; brothers- and sisters-in-law: Mae and George Haschak, Ella and Donald Johnston, G. Robert and Maryann Bland, Clifford "Butch" Inman and Mary Lou Nolan.
He is survived by his children: daughter, Gail Tarachko and friend, Joseph Previty; daughter, Vicky McCabe; and son, Dean Raymond McCabe and friend, Judy Garbacz; grandchildren: Jeremiah, Jacob, Leah Rae (Karl Kreutzberger), Sheena, Jessica Rae, Duncan, Austin and Hannah; great-grandchildren: Marcus, Lucas, Miah, Dawson, Asher, Taylor Ray, Beau and Ava; twin sisters, Bonnie Rakar (John "Jack" Rakar) and Connie McCabe; brothers- and sisters-in-law: Gerald "Sonny" Stombaugh, Walter "Wally" Baxter Jr., Shirley McCabe, Kumiko McCabe and Janet Inman; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Growing up in Martindale, Ray always had his siblings and friends to pal around with. After his chores were finished at home, he got together with the Martindale gang and spent countless hours at the swimming dam, the ball field, the Shack, Bill Blodnick's place, Lang's Farm and the Tarzan Grapevine, to name a few. At age 14, he began his first job working at Discavage's Mobile Station. At age 16, he began working part-time at the Martindale Lumber Co.
He was a proud 1953 graduate of Portage Joint High School.
In 1954, at age 21, Ray met the love of his life, 20-year-old Betty Lou Inman. On May 5, 1956, they were married at Betty's church, First Lutheran on Caldwell Avenue in Portage. When he wasn't working at the sawmill, Ray could always be found at Betty's side. Whether Ray was singing to her, paying her J.C. Penney bill, or caring for her, the only thing that mattered to him was that he was with Betty, spending precious time together. A few days before Ray passed away, he was looking at a picture of Betty, pointed to it and said, "Now there's beauty!" Their love story is one that could be considered to many as unmatched. It truly is a story to be told! We find peace in knowing they are now dancing together in Heaven.
In 1956, he attended the Hardwood Lumber Association Grading School in Memphis, Tenn. On Jan. 1, 1970, at the age of 36, he became co-owner of the Martindale Lumber Co. along with his brother, Don McCabe and family friend, Charles "Yuck" Jubina. In addition to being co-owner and operator of the sawmill, Ray worked as a laborer, inspector, sawyer, machine and kiln operator. He also had the privilege of working with his son, Dean, until the sawmill closed. He referenced the relationship between owners and employees as "exceptional" in his book, "The Martindale Lumber Company."
In 2012, due to the decline in the market and the price of lumber dropping, it was not profitable to continue the operation of the sawmill. In Ray's "The Martindale Lumber Company" book, he wrote: "It was Oct. 20, 2012. As the auction of the sawmill progressed, it broke my heart. It was like losing an old friend."
After the sawmill closed, Ray continued to care for others, but he also knew he needed to take an interest in something else meaningful to consume his time. In 2013, he began researching his family ancestry and writing books with the help of his Uncle Buck, his sister Bonnie and his daughter Vicky. He continued working on family ancestry and book writing until 2020, when his health began to decline. The books he wrote included "Ray and Betty," "Martindale Boys," "The Martindale Lumber Company" and "Martindale Christian Missionary and Alliance Church."
Above all, Ray felt most helpful when he was caring for others. His love stemmed so deeply for those he cared for and loved that he wrote and sang the song "Gem of Gold" for Betty and "Jessie's Song" for his granddaughter, Jessica. In the evening, at peace time, lunch and weekends, he could be found at his home in Martindale humming and singing these songs and church hymns to Betty -- except when Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, the news or Pittsburgh sports were on the television.
Ray will be remembered for his humble, loving and kind nature. He always thought of everyone else before he ever thought of himself. His niece, Diane (McCabe) Kovach, referred to him as "a rock in the storm and a teddy bear at the same time." Ray's legacy will live on in any selfless act of love and kindness performed in the name of Jesus.
Family will receive friends from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, at Matthew R. Decort Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., Portage; and from 10 until the 11 a.m. service Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at Martindale Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, with Pastor Timothy Dietrich, officiant. Committal in Mount Moriah Cemetery, Blue Knob.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to PAYA, P.O. Box 234, Portage, PA 15946; or the Martindale Christian and Missionary Alliance Building Fund, 179 Alliance Ave., Portage, PA 15946.
decortfh.com