It is with great sadness that we share that our long time friend and driver for PeaceWorks Mutual Aid Shipments to Nicaragua, Mike McCabe, passed away last month. He was 72.
As far back as anyone can remember, twice a year, Mike showed up with his trailer truck with an empty 40 foot high top shipping container that we’d fill with humanitarian aid donations: bikes, medical equipment, clothing, computers, garden tools, and all kinds of things our partners in Nicaragua requested. Mike understood the impact these items brought to a country emerging from civil war back in the early 90’s. Thirty years and around 75 shipments later, Mike continued to be inspired by the effort of kind people from all over New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York.
Mike always donated his time, fuel and truck to take the container to the Port of Newark where it would head off to Nicaragua. This contribution was huge, but it was his expertise on how to load a shipping container that we will miss most.
Mike, often seated in a donated chair before the open mouth of the container, ran the whole enterprise. He was our general and commander-in-chief. When a box was loaded well, filling that last half inch of empty space, he inspired you to load 20 more. But then again, if a box or bike wasn’t placed just right, his sharp wit and colorful language also inspired you to get the next one right. At Mike’s direction, it often took two or three of us just to close the container’s door.
Upon hearing the sad news of Mike’s passing, PeaceWorks’ Guy Talbot, who worked side by side with Mike on most of the shipments, said, “shipment day was always a highlight of the year for me, and spending the day on the truck with Mike was a big part of that. Funny, a little rough, and very caring. One of a kind. He gave a lot to the work.”
Mike’s family has written a beautiful obituary that you can read here and they have asked all of us to donate to PeaceWorks in honor of this beautiful man who gave so much to the people of Nicaragua.
In Nicaragua, when someone of great respect passes, the person’s name is called out followed by ¡presente! Join us in honoring Mike:
Mike McCabe, ¡presente!
PeaceWorks 