Michael Eugene McCarthy

Michael Eugene McCarthy, age 82, of Lake Lure, North Carolina, passed away Monday, June 26, 2023, at Mission Hospitals in Asheville, North Carolina.

Michael was a native of Lincoln, Nebraska, and he was the son of the late Edward and Gertrude McCarthy. In addition to his parents, Michael was preceded in death by one son, Larry McCarthy; and one brother, Larry McCarthy.

Michael is survived by his wife of 20 years, Diana Rocke McCarthy; two daughters, Kelley Howard (Robert) and Melissa Davila (Tony); two sons, Michael McCarthy (Ruth) and Patrick McCarthy (Kim); one daughter-in-law, Chana McCarthy; two stepdaughters, Merritt Lloyd Ripley (Adam) and Jennifer Waldrop (Mark); two stepsons, Martin A. Lloyd and and Jeffrey T. Rocke; 14 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren; and his previous wife and mother of Michael's children, Janice Pohl.

Michael was a member of Fairfield Mountains Chapel in Lake Lure, North Carolina, where he had served two terms on the Board of Elders. After attending Lincoln High School in Lincoln, Nebraska, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps upon completion of training at Camp Pendleton, California, in the late '50s-early '60s.

He attended classes at his beloved University of Nebraska, then attended the prestigious Madame Kouny School of Culinary Art in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Affectionately known as "Mr. Mac," most of his long career was spent in the food industry and in management of private city and country clubs. His first job was as sous-chef at the University Club in Lincoln, Nebraska. He then served as executive chef at the Wort Hotel in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. From there he became general manager at the Happy Hollow Country Club in Omaha, Nebraska.

His career in general management proceeded to various private clubs in Illinois, including The City Club in Decatur, Illinois, the Illini Club in Springfield, Illinois, the Virginia Country Club in Virginia, Illinois, Short Hills Country Club in E. Moline, Illinois, the Pottawattamie Country Club in Michigan City, Indiana, and most recently at the Carolina Country Club in Spartanburg, South Carolina, before retiring to Lake Norman in North Carolina.

His passion was cooking for those he loved, witnessed by his legendary Men's Ministry Breakfasts at Fairfield Mtns Chapel, and his love for entertaining family and friends at his and Diana's home in Lake Lure. He was a mentor to many, respected by all who knew him, he cherished his friends, and he deeply loved his family. He will be greatly missed and remembered by so many. Semper Fi. – "Always Faithful."

A family-directed celebration of life will be Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 3 p.m. at Fairfield Mountains Chapel in Lake Lure. There will be a private inurnment before the service. Donations may be made in his memory to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and Marine Corps Toys for Tots. McMahan's Funeral Home & Crematory.