Obituary of Thomas McCarthy

Thomas J. McCarthy Jr. Lifelong Erie resident Thomas J. McCarthy Jr., a retired attorney whose career spanned 50 years, died on Wednesday, November 23, 2011, at St. Mary's at Asbury Ridge, of complications from Alzheimer's disease. He was 87. A sole practitioner, Mr. McCarthy specialized in the areas of estate planning, estate administration, real estate and municipal law. A kind, sensitive man, Mr. McCarthy loved his profession and cared about his clients. He even sent them birthday cards. Quiet and reserved, he devoted himself to career and family, putting both his daughters through college and law school without taking out a single loan. He sat on the board of The Achievement Center of Erie, once serving as its president. An accomplished amateur photographer, in the 1960s Mr. McCarthy gave slideshow presentations of his European travels to local audiences. With all the latest equipment of the day, Mr. McCarthy was an original camera geek. Born in Erie on March 1, 1924, Thomas Joseph McCarthy Jr. was the only child of Thomas J. McCarthy Sr. and Elizabeth Donnelly McCarthy. His father owned a corner store in an Irish and Eastern neighborhood and ran gambling operation in the back. Thomas Jr.'s mother died when he was just 11 years old. Some favorite recollections from childhood included a four-mile roller-skating excursion he took from 9th and East Avenue to the west side of town to visit a cousin. And he and friends were thrilled to ski on boards down piles of coke at a coke manufacturing plant at the foot of East Avenue. After graduating from East High School, young Thomas was sent by his father on a train to the University of Notre Dame. His studies were interrupted when he was drafted into the US Army during World War II, where he served as a supply specialist in Europe. After the war, Mr. McCarthy resumed his studies at Notre Dame, earning a bachelor's degree in accounting. In the summer of 1954 he married Christine Hickman, a fellow student at East High. Encouraged by his father-in-law to enter the legal profession, Mr. McCarthy went on to earn a JD, also at Notre Dame. His bride was also a law school graduate, the only woman in her class at the University of Toledo. Mr. McCarthy and his wife enjoyed a happy marriage, she as outgoing as he was reserved. As newlyweds the two honeymooned in Europe for several months, returning many times over the years. Each year before Christmas they visited New York to take in musicals and to shop. Dedicated fans of the Fighting Irish, the couple seldom missed a home game, making the drive from Erie to South Bend. After his wife's death from cancer in 1991, Mr. McCarthy continued to travel on occasion. In his later years, although somewhat frail, he journeyed to China and with the help of his younger daughter and a tour guide, climbed atop the Great Wall. As a father he was supportive, taking joy in his daughters' activities and achievements. He adored his granddaughters and once sat for more than four hours, without moving from his chair, cradling in his arms his sleeping baby granddaughter, so as not to wake her. Mr. McCarthy's one regret was that his wife died before their grandchildren were born. Blessed with the gift of empathy for others, he was kindness itself. He was predeceased by his wife, Christine Hickman McCarthy. Mr. McCarthy is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Colleen C. McCarthy and H. Daniel Hill, III of Erie; and Sheila McCarthy Weschler and R. Ted Weschler; and his granddaughters, Caroline Weschler and Elizabeth Weschler, all of Charlottesville, VA. Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Monday, November 28, from 3 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at St. Peter Cathedral; Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Mr. McCarthy will be privately buried next to his wife at Fairview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to The Achievement Center, 101 East 6th St., Erie, PA 16507, or to the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN 46556. Enhance your memorial with a slideshow and video