Marblehead...

Robert J. McCarthy, Sr., age 83, of Marblehead, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully at Brigham and Women's Hospital on March 2, 2010 surrounded by his loving family. Devoted husband of 52 years to Rose Ann (Wheeler) McCarthy, Bob is also survived by his sister Frances Ashley of Marblehead, and six children Maureen R. McCarthy of Marblehead; Jo Ann M. McCarthy and her husband Joseph Fannon of Canton, MA; Eugene F. McCarthy II of Salem MA; Robert J. McCarthy, Jr and his wife Nancy Haibon of Salem, MA; Daniel J. McCarthy and his wife Lisa Welch McCarthy of Marblehead; and William C. McCarthy and his wife Kelly Klugman McCarthy of Wheaton, MN.


In addition to his beloved wife and children, Mr. McCarthy "Grampy" leaves 13 grandchildren: Daniel Campoblanco; Rory McCarthy and Robert Weston "Westy" McCarthy of Marblehead. Jack McCarthy; Tom McCarthy; Zach McCarthy; and Michael McCarthy Hale of Salem; Brian Fannon of Canton, MA; and William; Michael "Gus"; Sarah; Siobhan; and Mark; McCarthy of Wheaton, MN. Mr. McCarthy was predeceased by his grandson Paul McCarthy of Wheaton.


Born in Salem Massachusetts in 1926 to Eugene F. McCarthy and Gertrude L. (McKeever) McCarthy, Bob McCarthy grew up in the Irish neighborhood of North Salem and attended church regularly at St. James. Throughout his life Mr. McCarthy remained proud of his Irish heritage and greatly enjoyed the lilt of Irish music.


A graduate of Salem High School class of 1943, Mr. McCarthy, was a veteran of World War II having enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943, and bravely serving our country as a radio man/gunner on a Navy bomber crew. Following the war, Mr McCarthy attended Tufts University where he earned his Bachelors and Masters Degrees, and was a proud member of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity.


Mr. McCarthy embarked upon a distinguished career as a professional educator, strongly committed to expanding the knowledge of countless youth in Salem and Marblehead. Mr. McCarthy taught at the Saltonstall School in Salem. He later moved to Marblehead where he taught science and became the first principal of the Malcolm L. Bell School, opening both the original lower Bell and the upper Bell while pioneering innovative teaching techniques. Subsequently he also served as principal of the Gerry and Story schools in Marblehead and is a past president of MESPA (Massachusetts Elementary School Principals Association).


As an avid sailor and former member of the Boston Yacht Club, throughout his life, Bob delighted in pursuing his passion of sailboat racing whether on Lightnings; Solings; Etchells or anything with a sail and spinnaker, especially ocean races to Bermuda or Halifax.


A man of strong faith, Bob was a devoted Catholic and longtime parishioner and usher at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church. He also served the Marblehead community as a Past Grand Knight in the Knights of Columbus; Commander of Post 32 of the American Legion; and as an Assistant Scout Master with the Boy Scouts.


No matter the challenges or difficulty of the day, Bob McCarthy was always upbeat and his legacy response was always "I'm wonderful thanks". He shall be greatly missed.


His funeral will be held on Friday, March 5, 2010 at 9:15 A.M. from the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., (cor of North St) Salem to be followed by a funeral Mass at 10:00 A.M. in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 81 Atlantic Ave., Marblehead. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be Thursday from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Interment will be in Waterside Cemetery, Marblehead. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions to the Robert J. McCarthy, Sr. Scholarship Fund c/o the National Grand Bank, 91 Pleasant Street, Marblehead, Massachusetts 01945. The fund is being established so that others may follow in Mr. McCarthy's footsteps of distinguished leadership and service in the field of education.


For online guest book or additional information please call 781 631 8885 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.