Honoring
Edward “Jack” John McCarthy

Edward “Jack” John McCarthy was born in 1939 to the late Edward Timothy McCarthy and Marie Agnes Kilcourse McCarthy. He was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine McCarthy; his first wife, Francine McCarthy; and his daughter, Lisa Judith McCarthy.

Jack was born and raised in the Swampoodle area of Philadelphia. One of his wonderful childhood memories was as teens, he and his brother, Jerry, ran their own side hustle by parking cars for fans at Connie Mack Stadium. He also served as a volunteer firefighter at LaMott Fire Company #1 in Cheltenham Township, PA.

Jack graduated from Northeast Catholic High School in 1957 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University and a master’s degree from the University of Hartford. He was a Registered Professional Engineer licensed in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Connecticut.

Jack was a healthcare and educational facilities executive, holding leadership positions at Wilmington Medical Center, New Britain General Hospital, Providence College, and Choate Rosemary Hall. He served as president of the Connecticut Healthcare Engineers Society and was named Connecticut Hospital Engineer of the Year in 1997.

A longtime resident of Portland, CT, Jack gave back by serving on town building committees, contributing to renovation projects for the police department, town hall, and local schools.

In 2013, Jack and Geri retired to Murrells Inlet, SC, where he belonged to his neighborhood men’s club and marksmanship club. Later in life his love of researching recipes and cooking led him to befriend the staff at Lee’s Farmers Market, who repaid his loyalty by delivering lobster on his 80th birthday.

Jack’s conversations were sprinkled with dry humor, a pinch of emotion, a dash of directness, and heavy on the sarcasm. He was Philly tough on the outside, much like the Irish soda bread he made each March, but those who knew him well found a warmer side well worth the effort.

Jack is survived by his son, Kevin McCarthy (Karen); his daughter, Carol McCarthy Kinzer (Derek); his stepson, Donald Carfi (Amy); and his grandchildren: Morgan McCarthy, Brendan McCarthy, Starsen Kinzer, Sean Carfi (Alexandra), Kellianne Carfi (Nicholas), Jessica Tardif (Jessie), Alex Spada, Devon Carfi, and Samantha Carfi, and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Marie Adair, Jerry McCarthy (Helen), and Eileen Stewart, and nine nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by brothers-in-law Robert Adair and Jack Stewart; nephew David Stewart; stepdaughter Carleen Spada; stepson Jeff Carfi; and step-grandson Blake Carfi.

The family thanks the caring people at Seasons neighborhood, Magnolia Bridge in Murrells Inlet, Dr. Wilkinson and team, Jack’s visiting nurses, especially Becky Usher, RN, along with the professionals at Embrace Hospice House in Myrtle Beach, and his cherished friends near and far.

Jack passed peacefully under hospice care in Myrtle Beach, an industry his first wife, Francine McCarthy, RN, helped establish decades earlier at the first hospice in Myrtle Beach.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Jack’s honor to:

Lisa McCarthy Memorial Scholarship Fund
University of Saint Joseph
1678 Asylum Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117