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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
Virtual Celebration Of Life
Recorded Thursday, July 30th, 2026
5:00pm Eastern Time
Jack’s family invites you view the recording of the Celebration of Life service and reception to honor Jack’s life and legacy.
Slideshow
Photo Gallery
My Poppi was so smart, so caring, who also carried the best sense of humor.
He taught me so much in life, and knowledge I’ll always hold onto. He was full of information and facts (must have been the engineer in him). Poppi taught me about Sailing, how to use a compass, math tutoring me, his love for the mallard duck, we golfed together, he loved taking us around his most amazing yard to grow up on as a child with their Christmas tree farm. Poppi would bring us on the back of his tracker in his trailer hitched on and drive us all around the multi acre property (safely) 😊. He was especially great with time he knew exactly what time we would be home from one of our weekend trips I’d test him every time and he was right on the money every. time. we got home to Portland. He lead me to the love for driving a Mercedes and learning the value of nice things.
But especially here’s to a Grandfather whom of which I’ll never forget taking on being our Grandfather yet never knowing he was a “Step Grandfather” till later in life. That’s how much love he showed us. We would have almost hour long conversations a few times a year exchanged texts and birthdays I always remained in touch. He also loved our Grammy Geri for every inch she was.
Their home was immaculately beautiful, their relationship was so equal, so kind, and really in tune. I can hear him saying “yes dear?” to my Grandma now 😄. A truly amazing couple of people who met each other, and are now together again. Rest in Paradise to my Poppi. Thank you. 💙 Jack McCarthy 💙
I met Jack thru his moving into the Seasons community. I was able to complete lots of maintenance projects for him throughout his residency. As each project was completed, the more we became friends. We started having pizza together on a regular basis. When he relocated to Magnolia Bridges, well there was Danny’s pizza right there! Love my time spent with Jack. Lots of nice sarcasm with lots of humor! We would laugh out loud many times together. I will miss his wit. Rest in peace my friend.
We connected with Jack totally by accident here in Murrells Inlet but I knew OF him from the old days of NBGH( I was a nurse) I knew his late wife Geri and her son Donald and his family. We had many great conversations and I was able to help him through some of his surgical issues. He came with us in 2018 to my nephew Chris’s home in Florida for a few days when we had to evacuate because of the hurricane. He also spent a couple of holidays with us. We lost touch the last few years for various reasons. I know how stubborn he could be for sure but we did enjoy each others company and had many a laugh. He entered our life for a reason and a season… May he rest in peace