WILLIAM F. MCCARTHY

1944 - 2018

McCARTHY, William F. Partner at Ropes & Gray Passed away in the embrace of his wife and children on April 17, 2018.

Bill was a devoted family man who rose from humble beginnings to become a preeminent attorney. He is survived by his wife, Nicole, daughter Jennifer and her husband Michael, son Jim and his wife Patricia, and daughter Danielle and her husband Adam. Bill also leaves his brother Jim, sister-in-law Bonnie, and sister Eileen. Among Bill's greatest joys was his grandchildren: Aidan, Brendan, Eileen, Simone, and Madeline.

Bill was known for his sharp wit, generosity, loyalty, and encyclopedic historical knowledge. He nurtured a love of learning and the outdoors in his children and grandchildren.

Bill was born in Greenfield on February 9, 1944, to Walter and Katherine McCarthy. Walter passed away when Bill was seven, and Katherine raised their three children as a single mother.

A devout Catholic, Bill was educated at the College of the Holy Cross and Harvard Law School. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1971 to 1973, and remained a proud Marine all his life. Bill was a partner at Ropes & Gray, and led the firm's bankruptcy department.

Funeral Mass will be 10AM Wednesday at St. Eulalia's Church, 50 Ridge St., Winchester. Calling hours are 3-7 PM Tuesday at Lane Funeral Home, 760 Main St., WINCHESTER. Memorial contributions may be made to a fund Bill established for students of single mothers like his own. Please include "Katherine Campbell McCarthy Scholarship Fund" in the memo field for donations to the College of the Holy Cross, Box Dev, 1 College Street, Worcester, MA 01610.