Edward "Jack" John McCarthy

Edward “Jack” John McCarthy was born in 1939, to the late Edward Timothy McCarthy and Marie Agnes Kilcourse McCarthy. He passed away June 28, 2026. Jack 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 and had many fond memories and adventures from that neighborhood. As teens, Jack and his brother, Jerry, ran their own side hustle parking cars for fans attending baseball games at the famous Connie Mack Stadium. Additionally, Jack served as a volunteer firefighter at LaMott Fire Company #1, serving Cheltenham Township, PA.

With great distinction, Jack graduated from Northeast Catholic High School in 1957. He earned a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Villanova University as a Dean’s List student and later a master’s in Business Administration from the University of Hartford. He was proud to be a Registered Professional Engineer licensed in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Connecticut.

After starting his career at Scott Paper, PA, Jack went on to build a distinguished career as an executive in healthcare and educational institutions that spanned decades. Jack held facilities directorship positions at Dupont School for Children, Wilmington Medical Center, New Britain General Hospital, The Hospital for Special Care, Providence College and Choate Rosemary Hall, among others. Jack served as president of the Connecticut Healthcare Engineers Society and was honored as Connecticut Hospital Engineer of the Year in 1997. He was a board member of the New England Healthcare Engineers Society and held membership in both the American Society of Healthcare Engineers and the American Society of Healthcare Executives. His commitment to safety and standards led him to the National Fire Protection Association, where he served on several committees within the Health Care Section, including the prestigious Technical Correlation Committee of Health Care Facilities. He was also a proud corporator at New Britain General Hospital.

A longtime resident of Portland, CT, Jack gave back to his community in tangible ways. He served on town building committees and contributed as a team member on renovation projects for the police department, town hall, Griswold School and Valley View School.

In 2013, Jack and Geri retired to Murrells Inlet, SC. He enjoyed his time as an usher for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans minor league baseball team. He was a member of his neighborhood men’s club and marksmanship club. Jack enjoyed international travel, sailing, hunting, golf, watching sports and keeping in close contact with his three siblings. Jack famously loved researching recipes and refining his cooking skills, befriending the staff at Lee’s Farmers Market, Murrells Inlet, to buy fresh seafood and ingredients. Lee’s staff repaid his years of loyalty by delivering lobster to him on his 80th birthday, much to his delight.

Jack had friends near and far, including from his career and others from the Murrells Inlet area. His family and friends knew that any conversation with Jack would be 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 loved to make each March. Those who knew him well understood that getting to his warmer side simply took a little time. And like a home-cooked gourmet meal, experiencing the best of Jack was always 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, along with four great-grandchildren.

Additionally, he is survived by his beloved siblings, with whom he spoke often: Marie Adair, Jerry McCarthy (Helen), and Eileen Stewart, as well as nine nephews and nieces.

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

The family would like to thank the special people who went out of their way to connect and care for him in the Seasons neighborhood, at Magnolia Bridge in Murrells Inlet, Dr Wilkinson and his team, Jack’s visiting nurses, especially Becky Usher, RN and the caring professionals at Embrace Hospice House in Myrtle Beach. Jack passed peacefully under hospice care, an industry his first wife, Francine McCarthy, RN, helped establish decades earlier at the first hospice in Myrtle Beach.

The family will be having a virtual Celebration of Life on July 30, 2026 at 5PM. Please register here:  Willowise.com/obit/Jack-McCarthy

In Jack’s honor, donations can be made to:
Lisa McCarthy Memorial Scholarship Fund
University of Saint Joseph, 1678 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117

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