John J. (Jack) McCabe
Born in Lindsay, Jack came to Peterborough at the age of 4. The family settled in Ashburnham where Jack lived his whole life. In 1894, at the age of 16, Jack McCabe began his junior field lacrosse career in Peterborough (box lacrosse was not yet started). He had the size, speed and uncanny ability required to be an ace in the rough gutted stick game. Until he retired from the sport in 1908, he was considered the number one field lacrosse player in the province. Turning professional in the early 1900’s, McCabe played for the University of Toronto Varsity squad that won the “World Collegiate Championship” in Baltimore in 1902. He played for the Chicago Calumets in the U.S. professional finals in 1904. Several times during his long career he was recognized in top level tournaments as the MVP. Jack played some hockey in the Trent Valley League and served on the executive of a number of local teams. Although Jack loved athletics, he was equally interested in the theatre, playing characters in Irish plays, minstrel shows and even Shakespearian plays. He became an accomplished makeup artist. Jack’s two brothers James and Dan were also good athletes in their day. McCabe worked 45 years for the CGE and died in Peterborough in 1979 at the age of 102.
Year Inducted:
1988
Status:
Deceased
Born in Lindsay, Jack came to Peterborough at the age of 4. The family settled in Ashburnham where Jack lived his whole life. In 1894, at the age of 16, Jack McCabe began his junior field lacrosse career in Peterborough (box lacrosse was not yet started). He had the size, speed and uncanny ability required to be an ace in the rough gutted stick game. Until he retired from the sport in 1908, he was considered the number one field lacrosse player in the province. Turning professional in the early 1900’s, McCabe played for the University of Toronto Varsity squad that won the “World Collegiate Championship” in Baltimore in 1902. He played for the Chicago Calumets in the U.S. professional finals in 1904. Several times during his long career he was recognized in top level tournaments as the MVP. Jack played some hockey in the Trent Valley League and served on the executive of a number of local teams. Although Jack loved athletics, he was equally interested in the theatre, playing characters in Irish plays, minstrel shows and even Shakespearian plays. He became an accomplished makeup artist. Jack’s two brothers James and Dan were also good athletes in their day. McCabe worked 45 years for the CGE and died in Peterborough in 1979 at the age of 102.