Huntington, New York
Trader With the Gift of Gab
Michael McCarthy, as he was known to his colleagues, was the tough, competitive trader, at 33 an assistant vice president at Carr Futures who worked from 2 a.m. to 10 a.m., following the London exchanges.
But his family always called him Desmond. Desmond was the happy-go-lucky rugby player who liked a pint and a good tale to chase it. He was a big talker, speaking heatedly about history and politics, or dazzling them with his high-flying deals in Nice and Monaco. "He would try to explain what he did in the business world, but we never did catch on," his father, Bill McCarthy, said.
To his parents, first- and second-generation Irish immigrants, Desmond was the epitome of New World success. You could see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty from his 27th-floor apartment in Battery Park City. When he worked in London, he thought nothing of flying home for the night for a family wedding, or to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Manhattan.
And though Desmond had been commitment-phobic, he seemed serious about the latest girlfriend he took home to Huntington, N.Y. "We were looking forward to watching Desmond move through life," his father said. "Now, every morning hurts. But we love talking about him. It's a way of honoring him."
But for the tragic day Mike was eyeing up the possibility of joining the FBI. I still remember the conversation which says something of Mike.
Mark Hjaltun
September 13, 2023 | London | Friend
I will always remember Mike as a fearless and hardworking member of our wrestling team. His positive attitude and big smile made him a pleasure to coach. A life too short but one who will not be forgotten. Frank Picozzi
Frank Picozzi
September 12, 2023 | Other
Michael was a kind person and a great teammate. I’ll never forget his smile and optimism. RIP.
Matt Grover
September 05, 2021 | Friend
In Memory
With Honor & Respect.
S J. Friscia III
September 08, 2014 | Staten Island, NY
September 11, 2013
My prayers are with the McCarthy family today. Michael's favorite tie was with me all day today and I wear it every St, Patrick's Day, as he did by your letter to me, and his Holy card is taped to my windshield. While I lived in Chicago in 2001, I am now retired in Clarence, NY. As I watch the History Channel and I saw again the second tower go down, I pray for your peace in gratitude for you sharing a bit of Michael Desmond's life with me. God bless you all.
Paul Dabrowski
September 11, 2013 | Clarence, NY
Every 9/11 I think of Michael. I am the mother of 4 boys who lived around the block from Michael and went to school with him. So so many days Michael would be in my garage lifting weights with my boys or punching the bag we had hanging from the ceiling. Michael and his brother Billy were two of my favorite boyfriends of my sons. They were always respectable, kind and caring. To this day I can't believe Michael is gone. He always had a smile and the earth lost a great young man while...
September 11, 2013
Thinking of the McCarthy family today. Remember fondly working out with Michael and my brother Chris in the basement of Maurice Lane. Michael privately coached me in wrestling for the only Lu-Hi wrestler to win his match against Huntington. Such fond memories and your family is beautiful. God Bless you guys.
Erik McLain
September 11, 2013 | Irvine, CA
Emma
September 11, 2013 | NY
Remebering you today. Eleven years ago our lives changed forever. We will never be the same. Missing you always
(maureen) Donohoe Family
September 11, 2012 | Wayne, NJ