Jan. 8, 2013
Mr. James J.F. McCarthy, 77, of East Northampton Street, in the Heights section of the city, passed into Eternal Life Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 8, 2013, in the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township, surrounded by his loving family, following a prolonged illness.
Born Sept. 24, 1935 in Plymouth, he was a son to the late James J. and Claire (Metzger) McCarthy. Educated in the local schools, he attended the James M. Coughlin High School, Wilkes-Barre. Following his education, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and proudly served our country during the Korean War.
A lifelong broadcast reporter, Mr. McCarthy's career began as a disc jockey at WAEB in Allentown. He then spread his wings to become a reporter with WSCR in Scranton, WPTS in Pittston and later the Mutual Broadcasting Company in Washington, D.C. He eventually earned a position with the CBS Broadcasting Corp. as a reporter, having Federal Politics on Capitol Hill his beat. He worked under several notable presidential administrations including late past presidents Nixon and Kennedy.
Upon his return to the Wyoming Valley, he and his wife, the former Patricia Kessler, who together would have shared 57 years of married life on March 9, purchased a local tavern and together would operate the family business, "Jim McCarthy's Tavern on the Hill" for some 35 years.
His love of politics, community and civic involvement continued until his passing. With the exception of his first attempt, he won every race for Wilkes-Barre City Council, and later, losing his bid for Luzerne County commissioner. His deep, melodic voice and tall stature were distinctive characteristics most have come to know him for. He was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, Wilkes-Barre, where he served as lector and usher for many years. He also held membership in various fraternal and civic groups including the Wilkes-Barre Lions Club, Lodge 61, Free and Accepted Masons, where he continued to serve as Chaplain; was a former member of the Irem Shrine, the Knights of Columbus, Council #302, Wilkes-Barre, the Catholic War Vets, the E.L.K.S. club of Wilkes-Barre and the Marine Corps League just to name a few.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas, and more recently a sister, Denise.
Surviving, along with his wife, Pat, at home, are their sons, James, Nanticoke; Harry and his wife, Anna; Justin S. and his wife, Josie, and Timothy, all of Wilkes-Barre; grandchildren, Seanna, Elysia, Justin Jr., Molly and Erin; great-grandchildren, Christopher and Connor; numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mr. McCarthy will be conducted on Saturday morning at 8:15 a.m. from the John V. Morris Family Funeral Homes Inc., Wilkes-Barre Heights Chapel, 281 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre, followed by a Funeral Mass at 9 a.m. in Our Lady of Fatima Parish, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, with the Rev. Monsignor Michael J. Delaney, his cousin, serving as Celebrant.
Interment with Rite of Committal will follow in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery, 1594 S. Main St., Hanover Township.
Relatives and friends may join the McCarthy family for visitation and remembrances Friday from 2 until 4 p.m. and from 7 until 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of floral tributes, memorial contributions may be made in Jim's name to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
To send his wife, Pat, their sons and family online words of comfort, support and friendship, please visit our family's website at www.johnvmorrisfuneralhomes.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Jack and Sharon Etter here just wanted to say thanks for the good times Jim we miss youRIP
Sharon Etter
January 4, 2021
Dear McCarthy Family James is well remembered and sadly missed God bless you all
Sincerely,
Jack and Sharon Etter
sharon Etter
Friend
January 9, 2020
Dear Pat, Jimmy, Harry, Justin and Timmy,
I just wanted to take a moment to send my love and condolences to all of you. I wish I could have been there. Please know I was with you in spirit and am praying for all of you daily. He is loved and will be missed! His aunts are devastated. He was their 1st nephew.
Love, Noreen
Noreen Delaney-Lyles
January 15, 2013
I only knew Jim from going to his Tavern on the hill but he always treated us like one of his own. He
was kind and friendly with his patrons. I am honored to have known him. Mary Green.
January 14, 2013
Sorry for your loss my prayers are with you all god bless
Ruth arnold
January 13, 2013
patty and family im so sorry for your loss myself and all the other people that knew him will always have a place in our hearts
susan cavanaugh
January 12, 2013
A candle to light his way and to brighten your future
withlove,
sharon(amann) kuzmitsky
January 12, 2013
Dear Patti and family ;
Jim will be sincerely missed i can wish you the family brighter future and my love.
sincerely ,
Sharon (Amann) Kuzmitsky as well as Jack Etter Sr.
January 12, 2013
I only knew him from St.Mary's on Sundays but he was always such a true gentleman and a person you were proud to know. So sorry to hear of his passing.
January 12, 2013
Justin and family,
So very sorry to hear of the loss of your father. You are in my thoughts.
Traci Rittenhouse
January 11, 2013
sorry to hear about Jim. Nancy Creasing
January 11, 2013
I had the pleasure of working for your father at the Tavern on the Hill. He was a kind, caring and a honest man who always looked out for those around him. He touched every life he came in contact with whether through his politics or his lovely voice singing to his patrons and staff. He will be truly missed by all!
Crystal Carson
January 11, 2013
I want to express my deepest sympathy to the McCarthy family for the loss of a great man & icon to our city of Wilkes-Barre. He was a loving & caring man whom i had many conversations with. He was loved by many & will be missed by all. May he rest in peace.
Jim Elias
January 11, 2013
No words can adequately express the great sorrow we feel for your family. Jim touched our lives in uniquely different ways. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. We are indebted to his extraordinary kindness and caring. His generosity and empathy for all in need will never beforgotten. His impact on all those who were friends or simple acquaintences is his legacy.
Larry and family Spaide
January 11, 2013
Harry, Anna, Molly, and the entire McCarthy Family, please accept our deepest symathies in your loss. May your sorrow lighten in the cheerished memories you share.
Mary Beth, Justina, and Emily Malys
January 11, 2013
To the McCarthy Family" May weoffer our condolences on the loss of Jim. We knew Jim from the Grogge Shoppe and Squires Green. (The wife at The Grogge and both of us at the Squires Green, where we worked with his sister Denise and others. May he Rest in Peace.
Dave & Helen Lindsey
January 10, 2013
Lee HUmphrey we loved singing and dancing at the tavern. I sung my girl with your father in aug 2012
lee humphrey
January 10, 2013
Sympathy & kindest regards to the McCarthy family & friends wherever they may be. God bless 1 & all. Take care.
Ray Allen
January 10, 2013
I want to express my deepest sympathy to the Mc Carthy family in the loss of a very dear, sweet man. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and loved him.You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Dawn Branzuela
January 10, 2013
To the McCarthy Family:
Sorry for your loss. My thoughts & prayers are with you.
M. Perks
January 10, 2013
To the McCarthy family,I'm so sorry to hear about Jim, he was a great man. R.I.P. Jim.
Danny Hargrave
January 10, 2013
To the McCarthy family. I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Mr. McCarthy was a Loving person who would help anyone out. He will truly be missed.
Margaret Litzenberger-Roccaforte
January 10, 2013
You will be ssadly missed and karaoke will not be the same without you...my thoughts and prayers go out to the family..they have lost a truely good guy
Jo Ann Oliver
January 10, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Marty n Cathy Piotroski
January 10, 2013
McCarthy family
It was a pleasure to work with Jim over the years.You always knew you would get a bluntly truthful answer from him on all issues.
Donald McFadden
January 10, 2013
To the McCarthy family, my thoughts and prayers go out to your family during this sorrowful time.
John Pytell
January 10, 2013
To the McCarthy Family,
There are no words to express the sorrow that I feel for your loss. I only hope that knowing how many people's lives were touched, inspired and changed because of knowing Jim McCarthy will help with your grief in time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you family.
Truly,
Betty Lou and John Mi
Betty Lou Connell
January 10, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Donnie Evans
January 10, 2013
Jim, you will be missed. You brought something to our lives that is lacking in the world we live in today- civility. The world is a lot less brighter today. Heaven has that bright light that you have given us through out your life. God bless your soul. God bless and protect your family. God bless America.
Peter Troyan
January 10, 2013
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
Jude Spellman & Family
January 10, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Tom Beline & Family
January 10, 2013
Justin, Josie & family all-
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
-PDG Tony & Rita
PDG Tony & Rita Stefanowicz
January 10, 2013
r i p jim
January 10, 2013
I knew the whole Mc Carthy familily and went to the Tavern for many years. One upstanding Tavern and one outstanding Familiy. You will be missed, Jim. Rest in peace !!
Jack Thompson
January 10, 2013
To Pat,and the boys all my prayers and thoughts during this time...Thank You Jim and may the Lord accept you with open arms....So many great memories.
Butch Shovlin , Jr
January 10, 2013
WE ARE VERY SOORY TO HEAR ABOUT JIMS PASSING HE WAS ALWAYS A GOOD FRIEND OF OUR FAMILY WE ALL GREW UP TOGETHER IN EAST END OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO JIM AND HIS FAMILY
JERRY BONNER
January 10, 2013
YOU WILL BE MISSED JIM GOD BLESS YOU HEAVEN TOOK ANOTHER ANGEL REST IN PEACE MY DEAR FRIEND LOVE YOU LOVE SUE OLVER
January 10, 2013
R.I.P.
Dan
January 10, 2013
Heavenly Father, Please be with the family of James “Big Jim” McCarthy during this difficult time. Comfort his family and friends and let them be surrounded with the support and love of each other. My deepest condolences are with the family as they grieve. Eternal rest grant unto Mr. McCarthy oh Lord and may the perpetual light shine upon him. May God bless him and his family in this time of sorrow. May their hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together with Mr. McCarthy as they celebrate a life well lived & Take comfort in knowing that now they have a special guardian angel to watch over them. RIP James “Big Jim” McCarthy..
Stan Arnold,Jr
January 10, 2013
Showing 1 - 39 of 39 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more