Family pay moving tribute to 'proud Yicker' Paul McCabe (From St Helens Star)
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Family pay moving tribute to 'proud Yicker'
9:20am Friday 31st August 2012 in News By Andrew Kilmurray, News editor
Paul McCabe (left) with brother Nick.
HEARTFELT tributes are being paid to a devoted father-of-three who died within seconds of suffering an ‘acute asthmatic episode’ at the age of 46.
Respected roofer Paul McCabe, the brother of Verve guitarist Nick, was found by his partner at their Haydock home earlier this month.
Several hundred people attended the funeral of the “proud and well known Yicker” and tributes have flowed from friends and family.
Speaking to the Star, his partner Melanie said: “It is hard to believe Paul is no longer with us. I had text messages from him at 6pm and by 7pm that Sunday (August 5) we found him.
“The coroner says it was a massive asthma attack and after getting up from the sofa he must have died within five seconds.
“He had an inhaler for asthma but there had never been anything like this.”
Paying tribute to Paul, who lent support and sponsored both Haydock Cricket and Haydock Working Men’s football teams, the family issued the following tribute: “He was always a generous chap, as many Yickers will acknowledge, and was into sport of every kind.
“His family, Melanie – and children Amy (23), Kieran (21) and Katie (20) were his first love – closely followed by his dogs – which over time included two greyhounds and two German Shepherds.
“He was very fond of his last dog, Bruce, a Patterdale Terrier.”
Paul, a regular in the Owl’s Nest, had successfully built up his business, Paul McCabe Roofing Company over 14 years.
His family added: “He did it through hard work and professionalism. His reputation for speedy, quality and reliable work went before him all around Merseyside, Cheshire, Scotland and Whitehaven.
“He loved music – and was a big fan of Ian Brown and his brother’s band, The Verve. Three years ago Paul took up the flute, a most unlikely instrument for such a big guy.
“He practised diligently, learned to read music, and went on to play keyboards, bass and blues guitar. Many of his friends were unaware of his musical talents.
“When talking to his many friends, of all age groups and backgrounds, the word most people associate with him was respect. He’ll be sadly missed by many.”
Paul’s son Kieran, a joiner who learned the roofing trade under his dad’s watchful eye, will continue to run the family business.
NICK McCabe, guitarist in massive 90s band The Verve, paid his own poignant tribute to his brother.
On Facebook he described Paul as his “hero”: “Not only my brother my friend, he taught me honour and truth, exposed me to so much great music, plied me with millions of Yo-Yo biscuits when we delivered milk and tickled my palm to get me to sleep when I was a little boy.
“So much fun, so strong a personality, a force of nature, I thought you were going to be there forever. never told you how much I loved you Paul. I will keep your memory in my heart forever. Rest in peace my beautiful brother.”
