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Henry McCarthy Obituary
June 5, 1927 - March 27, 2011
Henry A. "Mac" McCarthy Jr., 83, of Sarasota died March 27, 2011.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 12 noon, April 9, 2011 at Myakka River State Park.
Survivors include his sons, Patrick E. of Nokomis, John F. of Sarasota, Thomas C. and Michael S. of Orlando; sister, Gertrude Shevlin of Ft. Myers Beach; two grandchildren, Catherine and Phoebe; stepsons, Davy Crowell of North Carolina and Gary Crowell of Sarasota.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lois Catherine Fagan and his wife Alice B. Crowell.
Mac was born in Mount Vernon, N.Y. on June 5th 1927. He joined the US Coast Guard in 1945, serving as an aerographer's mate on the USS Charlotte, USS Dearborn and the USS Milledgeville. Mac moved to Ft. Myers Beach in the early 1950s where he met and married his first wife Lois. He was engaged in the construction industry. When construction work was slow, he would crew on a shrimp boat to the Dry Tortugas and the Bay of Campeche.
Mac moved his family to Sarasota in 1968, and continued in the construction field. In the 1970's he began building canoes and other small boats using the cedar-strip method of construction. He handcrafted hundreds of canoes, sail boats, kayaks, and rowing shells under his "Feather Canoe" brand. He studied small boat design and developed several popular models such as the "Wee Lassie," "Wee Lassie II" and the "Big Mac".
In 1996 his "how-to" book "Featherweight Boatbuilding was published by WoodenBoat Magazine. The book inspired hundreds of people around the world to build a Wee Lassie Canoe and get out on the water. His expanding reputation for strip building led him to teach at the WoodenBoat School in Brooklin, Maine. This teaching later shifted to his canoe shop on North Washington Blvd. in Sarasota. Dozens of residents and visitors learned to build boats amidst freshly milled cedar, tools of all description, model ships in every phase of construction and large photographs of Mac's favorite canoeing waters. Mac's boat shop became a favorite meeting place for people interested in simply "messing about in boats". While boats were built - friendships were formed. His newsletter, the "Wee Lassie" was mailed to small boat fans around the world.
Mac was active in the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association and was a member of the Nautical Research Guild. With failing health, Mac closed his canoe shop and moved into an assisted living facility. While confined to a wheelchair, he produced dozens of finely crafted ship models while welcoming guests to his miniature boat shop.
Mac was an inspiration to his family, his friends and the small boat community and he will be very much missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mac McCarthy may be made to the Cortez Maritime Museum, P.O. Box 100, Cortez, Florida 34215.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Henry McCarthy
Sponsored by John F. McCarthy.
William Smith
August 10, 2016
In the late 90's while visiting family in Fort Myers I stopped by Mac's shop and talked to him at length about building a Wee Lassie. Having never built a wood boat, his words and plans proved to start a long string of wooden boats that I have now built and designed. As an architect I still value his hand drawn plans. Great memories of a special boat builder.
Julie McCrum
October 18, 2014
Thanks McCarthy sons for keeping this site up. We have been too busy to get on the water lately but I look at 'Solitude' and smile. Mac would be pleased with the redesign of our RV roof to accommodate the canoes.... you just can't leave home without them!!!
October 17, 2014
Always love to read the entries here...I worked with his wife Alice at SMH..they were good friends!!
October 15, 2014
God bless: I bought plans in 1991 and built a wee lassie in 2006 with my son. We are now looking to build 1 or 2 more in the winter for my Daughter and soon to be Daughter in law. I still have the Wooden boat magazine with Mac's article in it from 1991. Showed it to a co-worker today, the legacy lives on. Stewart
Walt Hornberger
August 30, 2014
I built a wee lassie II in 2008 in Florida. I than transported to our cabin in the Adirondack Mts. of NY. Last week August 29, 2014, I took the boat to a small mountain pond called "Lens Lake" near Stony Creek NY being alone on that small mountain lake is where a Wee Lassie belongs!!!!!
Eric Evans
March 29, 2014
I got one of the first copies of Mac's book and the newsletter and built a couple of Wee Lassies myself. I enjoyed talking to Mac, even in the nursing home. He was even enthused about his models that he was building, saying at least it kept him "in the business of boat building". He was a great man and is missed.
September 8, 2013
I enjoyed many conversations with Mac. Most were on the phone with an occasional face to face at some boat show or in his shop. I built several wee lassies and was about to stop by the shop to ask him about the Big Mac as I had gained a few pounds since my wee lassie days. I was so saddened to find I could no longer speak to him. I have indeed been fortunate to have met him and had many talks with him. I believe I last saw Mac while paddling the Myakka several years ago. Wherever it was I will always remember him in a canoe just enjoying the paddle and seemingly "in another world" . I know you are up there just gliding along some waterway. I too will be up there soon enough and maybe I'll run into you on that river once again. Jerry
David Rossignol
June 30, 2013
I picked up Mac's book 14 years ago and built his Wee Lassie. Today, I am re-varnishing my canoe and was thinking of Mac.
January 9, 2013
I started my Wee Lassie several years ago, and next week it will be done! Thanks to Mac for the boat building bug
December 24, 2012
I still miss Mac...he and his wife Alice were good friends
December 23, 2012
david ross---convert, thanks mac for showing me the way---
Art Gilbert
September 1, 2012
I never met Mac, but corresponded with him after I built a Wee Lassie using his plans. That got me started in wooden boatbuilding; I'm at four boats and counting. He had a gift, and will be missed.
Brian Lapham
August 28, 2012
John and Family,
Was trying to find Mac's book, getting ready to build another canoe - and found his memorial. We all lost a great seaman and friend. I always enjoyed visiting his shop, and have several gorgeous boats and an appreciation of woodwork and construction because of him.
Thanks Mac
--Brian Lapham
(and hello John!)
PERRY THOMPSON
August 26, 2012
I TOO AM AN OLD CANOE BUILDER AND HAVE FOLLOWED HIM FOR YEARSSORRY FOR HIS LOSS!
Glenna Dame-Baker
August 18, 2012
Dearest John,
My condolences to you, Patrick, Thomas and Michael.
Respectfully,
Glenna
Jim Rabkin
May 18, 2012
I studied with Mac at the WoodenBoat School in 1992. I loved Mac's gentle kindness, and his wonderful, infectious laugh. I think of Mac with a smile, every time I take Ariel, the Wee Lassie that I built, out paddling. Rest in peace my gentle, kind teacher. You were a boatbuilder, someone who spent his life building beautiful things that brought pleasure into people's lives. I can't think of a better calling.
Brian Lapham
January 6, 2012
As I was paddling my little canoe around with my daughter, I got to thinking about what became of grumpy ol' Mac. I unfortunately have not gotten back to Sarasota for some time, and missed the opportunity to spend some more time with Mac. It was my loss not to have done it sooner, as I just found out about his passing.
He was a wonderful man and boat builder - he will be greatly missed by many.
Bryan Laney
July 20, 2011
I am deeply saddened by Mac's passing. I bought Mac's book Featherweight Boatbuilding back in 1999 after building my first wooden boat, a luan plywood canoe. I knew there was a better canoe design out there and was not disappointed after completing my very own Wee Lassie in 2000. I had a few questions along the way and Mac was always quick with his email reply. His advice was so valuable to me in crafting a vessel that so many Alabamians have given such kind comments upon seeing. Mac even published a photo of my Wee Lassie in his quarterly newsletter. I was honored to have my little canoe sit among the pages of the publication that brought me such enjoyment upon it's arrival. Mac was truly a special man and I wish I had met him to thank him in person for helping me accomplish a defining moment in my life--a man who has built his own beautiful wooden canoe. For that, I will be eternally grateful.
michael mccarthy
July 10, 2011
i am saddened for the loss of this fine man. i had the good fortune to meet him at his shop and i have in the box a kit for a wee lassie. it must be 15 years since i bought it. hopefully soon i will get to build it.
Michael Palmer
May 10, 2011
I have just received the sad news of Mac’s death. My encounter with Mac was initially through his book, ‘Featherweight Boatbuilding’, from which I have now build two boats. These boats have given me much joy in construction and recreation. On completion of my first boat, in 2009, I wrote a letter of thanks and sent a few pictures to Mac. I was delighted when I received not only an email reply from Mac but also two signed copies of ‘Featherweight boatbuilding’ in the post. His love of paddling and the joy he took in knowing that others were enjoying the ‘Wee Lassie’ experience was infectious. May he be resting on smooth waters. ‘……in front of the throne there is something like a sea of glass, like crystal.’ (Revelation 4:7)
Michael - ‘the proud Wee Lassie builder from "Down Under"!’
David Lippiatt
May 2, 2011
I am so sorry for the loss of "Mac" with the loss felt by his family, friends and many hundreds of people he inspired to build their own "Wee Lassie" canoe. My family and I had a blessing to meet Mac on our way to a Wooden Boat Show in Mystic many years ago. Since we were headed for a mutual destination and we saw the canoes on his car we struck up a conversation at a rest stop along the way. Later we visited at his booth and talked more. He was kind enough to autograph a copy of his Wee Lassie book which I still treasure.
May you rest in the knowledge he is at peace with all his strength back, now able to navigate all the heavenly streams, coves and backwaters that anyone could possibly imagine.
Through faith you will be together again, no sorry, no tears, no pain. Please take comfort in knowing this. And God Bless You, Mac... You will be greatly missed!
Nancy
April 27, 2011
The Wee Lassie which Mac guided me through building has become all the more special. Our 1:1 time in his Sarasota shop will always be a very special time of life. It was a bit of a mystery after reading his book and being with him, if he liked building or paddling more. I remember him telling me that when he was finished with life, he'd like to be sent adrift in one of his boats. Bon Voyage Mac.
Dave Smith
April 26, 2011
I am so sorry to hear of Mac's passing. I have owned a copy of Feathweight Boat Building for a number of years and thoroughly enjoyed reading and planning the creation of my own Wee Lassie. I began building mine last fall, and hope to have her finished in a couple weeks. I would have never attempted this without the "help" of Mac.
S. Magee
April 16, 2011
Our deepest sympathies go to the family of a great artisan who unfortunately we never got to meet. His boat has brought such JOY to my husband who has been ill for a number of years. He is so happy on the 20 ft. custom wooden boat crafted by Mac and wherever he goes people come up to take photos of Mac's beautiful boat and ask so many questions about the boat and who made it. Mac we always wanted to meet you but unfortunately, at the Cortez Wooden Boat festival we heard of the news of your passing a few weeks ago.God Bless You and your family! And thank you for bringing such joy to so many people !
Dwight Magee
April 16, 2011
Sorry to hear of Mac's passing. I had brief communications with Mac last fall after stumbling upon and restoring one of his creations -- a one-of-a kind 20' canoe he built specially in 1997. Such a beautiful boat. He had named it "Nutmeg" and it would be interesting to know why he picked such a name.
Anyway, I am proud to now own a boat built by Henry "Mac" McCarthy. My condolences to the family.
Michael Pifer
April 16, 2011
I built a Wee Lassie in Mac's class at Woodenboat School in Maine in 1999. It was the best two weeks I've ever had. My sincere condolences to Mac's family.
Bob Peritsky
April 12, 2011
My sincere condolences to Mac's family. Mac and I never met in person, but corresponded a few times. His freely given and always helpful advice was most appreciated as I built a Wee Lassie from his plans. He will be very much missed by many in the boatbuilding community.
Michael Vermouth
April 9, 2011
I met Mac about 15 or 18 years ago at a boat show where we were set up with a booth. He kept coming back to the booth and talked about boats and life in general. You always knew where you stood with Mac. He became a friend and we shared ideas on building techniques.
I am very happy that he was building models right to the end. He was always looking for the next design to get involved with.
We will miss him in the boat building community. He was a good man and friend.
April 8, 2011
My sympathies to Mac's family.
Mac was a part of our OT staff family in the 70s and 80s.
I remember Mac most for his deep sensitivity, humbleness, and gifted talents. His artistry in the train room, the carvings, canoes, and gardens, motivated others and left us in awe of his skills. I appreciated his annual letters to the editor and much more. So giving of himself.
Happy Trails, Mac.
Denise Dimich Spalsbury
Tim & Virginia Harris
April 7, 2011
The wife and I met "Mac" McCarthy at the second Cortez boat show. The meeting will always be memorable to us. That is because, while I was down by the water running my mouth, "Mac" and his son waited twenty minutes or more, in a wheelchair, in the hot sun for my return. He told my wife and his boy, he would wait because he wanted to meet me. I thank God I got to meet him and his son. "Mac" will remain famous for his Wee Lassies, but he was also a real Man's man. Timothy & Virginia Harris (Bartow Fla.)
G.H. Oberbeck
April 7, 2011
A very nice and helpful man, I built one of your Wee Lassies after meeting you, Smooth passage, God Speed.
Our Sympathy to Mac's family
Mac of Castro Valley doing what he likes best: Drinking Wine
Mac McCarthy
April 6, 2011
Another Mac: Michael "Mac" McCarthy of Castro Valley, CA
Mac McCarthy
April 6, 2011
April 5, 2011
Dear John & Family. I first met your dad when he came to live at our building on Swift rd. I always enjoyed talking with him and visiting his room to see what his latest creation was. I was amazed at all the different boats he created considering his health, limited space and material. His plans and attention to detail were incredible. I will continue to have fond memories of your dad and wish all of you my best. Tom Allman, maintenance director, Emeritus At Sarasota.
Clay Johnson
April 5, 2011
To All the Children and Grandchildren:
Mac was an amazing man whom I had the pleasure to work with when he took a young man under his wing at Sun Contracting. He helped me in my jouney through the industry and later worked for me when I started Manasota Commercial Const.
Mac was an inspiration to many as a craftsman and an individual. I count myself blessed to have known such a man.
Sadly, I am out of town this weekend and cannot attend the Celebration of Life. We will be making a donation in his name.
Mac McCarthy
April 5, 2011
i didn't know Mac, exactly, except that when I'd search the Internet for my own name, "Mac McCarthy," Mac's entries for his Featherlight Boats dominated the first page. So after a dozen years of 'knowing' of him by way of Google, I now find he has passed on -- and I feel bad about that.
His picture, on another site, even looks a bit like me....!
Have a good passage, Mac!
--Mac McCarthy, California
No relation (that I know of)
April 5, 2011
Hello Pat,
I,am saddened to hear of your loss. What an amazing Man!
I hope that your wonderful memories and lots of love and support somehow help you and family through this difficult time.
We will keep you in our thought amd prayers.
Janine & Mark
April 4, 2011
So sorry to hear that Mac has died..(.I just turned 83 myself!) Fond memories of Alice in Mac from years ago when she was the secretary for the O.T. Dept at Sarasota Memorial..I used to marvel at his construction of those feather canoes...condolences to Davey and Gary.
Jean Hewitt
David Jordan
April 4, 2011
Pat, we were very sorry to hear about your Dad. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Hope to see you soon.
Dave and Barbara Jordan
Carolyn Brown
April 4, 2011
John and McCarthy Family Members -
I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
With Sympathy,
Martin and Julie McCrum
April 3, 2011
Our deepest sympathy to all of you in your loss. We feel fortunate to have known Mac and be part of the 'Swamp' crew. Many wonderful paddles to Minnie's Lake and at Stephen Foster St. Park. I feel very honored to have a 'Mac Wee Lassie', one of my favorites to paddle. We will miss you friend but know you are in a better place. Thanks for all the great times and the memories.
Linda & Ken Hutchinson
April 3, 2011
Dear Tom: The Hutchinson family sends thoughts and prayers your way. What an amazing Dad - our deepest sympathies. Ken & Linda Hutchinson & girls
April 3, 2011
pat, so sorry to hear bout your dad. you were very fortunate to have him for as long as you did. mine went at 53. well miss them the same.
john scheele
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