MJ we are so sorry for your loss. All of us here at Cooper are thinking about you and hoping that you have peace in your heart in this time of saddness. Prayers to you and the family. Evelyn Rodriguez and The Anesthesia Deparment.

People cry at funerals. I never understood that emotion. Why do we cry? The simple answer is that we are sad because we miss the departed and that they won’t be physically present for sentinel occasions in our lives here on earth. We forget, far too often, that the fire of life that existed in the departed here on earth is passed to each of us like a torch in the Olympic relay. The charge we have here on earth is to not allow that flame to extinguish by incorporating it into our own. Why do we cry? Marty was a man who packed two lifetimes into his 63 years on this earth. He fulfilled his missions as a son, brother, father, grandfather, and uncle. Marty as a younger man was a consistent presence at the Bolero in Wildwood. Marty was without question larger than life and made everyone feel welcome, relaxed, and ready for a good time. As Marty grew older, he assumed the role of his father and mother, my grandparents, frank and Ethel, at the head of the table presiding over the holiday table that stretched into the next town filled with laughter and the aroma of the “old neighborhood” cooked up by the love of Marty’s life, MaryJo. His avuncular presence around the table put everyone at ease and everyone was glad to see them. For his five nieces, he was the cuddling nurturing Uncle. As the mannerisms of uncles go, Marty was the soft and nurturing yin to the yang of Uncle Joe’s tough love. Marty’s best attribute as an uncle was the timing of his nurture. He never missed a beat with advice. Simply stated, we cry because we miss that physical presence. I believe that the crying should be short lived because that presence is now in each of us. Why do we cry? God bestows upon each of us a cross to bear throughout life. Marty’s cross was an addiction to cigarettes for a large portion of his life. He beat diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and an old work related injury. When God afflicted him with lung cancer, the battle was short and it was the lung cancer that ultimately led God to call him home. The time from Marty’s diagnosis to being called home was barely eight weeks. This, I believe is a testament to God’s love for Marty. By contrast, the Holy Father Pope John Paul II suffered for nearly a decade with Parkinson’s Disease before God called home Pope John Paul II. Ten years of suffering for a Sainted Pope and ten weeks for a beloved son, brother, husband, grandfather, uncle and friend. That, in and of itself, is a feat of accomplishment that, through our tears, we fail to recognize. Why do we cry? An old Irish poem says: “In death, you either go up or you go down. If you go up, there is nothing to worry about. If you go down, you will be so busy shaking hands with old friends that you won’t have time to worry.” Marty may not be with us, but wherever he is UP there, he is free of all the trials and tribulations we deal with in life everyday that now seem silly: Bills, jobs, relationships, goals, drama, imperfect political and religious establishments, and raising children, grandchildren, and nieces to be well educated and self-reliant. Marty now has the joy of watching all of us carry on his legacy day in and day out. Why do we cry? I do not. Marty is up there having a beer with his Dad and placing another bet on whether or not the Steelers or Eagles will win their next SuperBowl first. We cry because we are not as lucky as Marty. We cry for ourselves. I wish Marty the Peace of Christ and all of us the grace and courage to carry on his legacy

Lit a candle in memory of Martin F. McBride

Lit a candle in memory of Martin F. McBride

Lit a candle in memory of Martin F. McBride

Lit a candle in memory of Martin F. McBride

My deepest sympathy & sincere condolences to Mary Jo and all of our McBride family and extended family members on the passing of Marty. Marty was a true gentle man -- a kind hearted, devoted and loving family man. He was larger than life with a wonderful personality. Marty was authentic, funny, and always with a smile on his face. I have such fond memories of our time spent together. I will miss you Marty. With deepest love and affection, Jerry McBride, Jr.

Lit a candle in memory of Martin F. McBride

Lit a candle in memory of Martin F. McBride

Lit a candle in memory of Martin F. McBride

Marty we love you. You were always a lot of fun when we got to see you. We are so glad that we recently got to visit you and reminisce about South Phila. And the people we all knew. Rest in peace dear friend. You will not be forgotten. To our MaryJo, we are here for you. You have always been there for the family. We love you. Cousin Anthony and Joe.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.