Edward F. McCarthy

Longtime Central Connecticut sports official and sports figure Edward F. McCarthy died Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, at Manchester Memorial Hospital at age 83.

McCarthy, a Manchester native, began his officiating career as a softball umpire in 1973, after determining that his playing days were numbered. Beginning with working adult men's games, McCarthy then broadened into officiating at the women's high school and college levels. For many years he served organized softball in Connecticut as a member of the Connecticut Amateur Softball Association (CASA). His most recent position, in 2012, was district commissioner for East Hartford. In 1998, CASA inducted him into its Hall of Fame, honoring him with a service award as an umpire. That same year he received formal recognition from the Connecticut Collegiate Umpires Association, an honor that was followed in 2004 with his induction into the Connecticut Scholastic and Collegiate Softball Hall of Fame. McCarthy maintained a regular umpiring schedule until past the age of 80. In the late 1990s, he expanded his officiating career, refereeing high school volleyball games and swim meets during the softball off-season.

From the mid-1950s through the mid-1990s, McCarthy served as a public address announcer, first for the now-defunct East Hartford Explorers semi-pro basketball team and the old East Hartford Dovelettes softball team, then from 1979 to 1995 for the football program at Manchester's East Catholic High School. In 1994 he was honored with a spot in the East Hartford Explorers Tap-Off Club Hall of Fame. In 1995, East Catholic also thanked him for his service behind the microphone, dubbing him the "Voice of the Eagles."

Son of the late Marie A. Aline (Van Haberbeke) McCarthy and the late Edward F. McCarthy Sr., (himself a noted Manchester umpire in the early part of the 20th century), McCarthy graduated from St. James School and Manchester High School before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Central Connecticut State University, graduating in 1953. In 1955 he was awarded a Master of Science in education from the University of Hartford. After teaching at the elementary level in East Hartford, McCarthy joined the purchasing department of Pratt & Whitney in 1956, retiring in 1991 as a chief buyer. He later worked for the former Valerie Trucking Company. A longtime East Hartford resident, he worshipped at St. Christopher and Our Lady of Peace parishes and was also a member of the Glenbrooke Swim Club in East Hartford where he was an avid tennis player.

Edward was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Marie Harrington McCarthy, and leaves three children, Michael McCarthy and his wife, Andrea, of Silver Spring, Maryland, Mary Commendatore and her husband, Tony, of Warwick, Rhode Island, and Stephen McCarthy and his wife, Denise, of Andover; five grandchildren who were the love of his life, Patrick, Daniel, Anthony, Kevin, and Shannon. He also leaves his sister, Jean Moske of Sandy Hook; many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Funeral service will be Friday, Nov. 21, at 8:45 a.m. from D'Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter St., East Hartford, with a Mass of Christian burial celebrated at 10 am at St. James Church, 896 Main St., Manchester. Private burial will be held at St. James Cemetery, Manchester at the convenience of the family.

Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel Thursday, Nov. 20, from 4-7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Edward's name may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 74 Batterson Park Road, Farmington, CT 06032.

Edward's family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and appreciation to Kristine and the entire staff at Manchester Manor for their kindness and care during the final months of Edward's life.

For online expressions of sympathy to the family please visit

www.desopo.com.