Michael McCarthy Sr.

1937 - 2017

Michael (Mike) McCarthy, Sr.
1937 - 2017

Michael (Mike) McCarthy, Sr., died of complications from surgery early in the morning on the 1st of July at Bakersfield's Memorial Hospital.

Born in Bakersfield in 1937, Mike was a resident of Bakersfield for most of his life. He attended Franklin Elementary School, Emerson Junior High, and Bakersfield High School, where he enjoyed being part of the BHS football team under Coach Briggs. Following his high school graduation in 1955, and after earning his Eagle Scout, Mike began his college tour, attending USC, Menlo College, and ultimately the University of California, Berkeley. He spoke often and fondly of his college years, particularly the summer he spent in Monterey doing oceanographic research on the site of what is now the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the summer he spent as a wrangler in Wyoming driving cattle.

He married his high school sweetheart, Linda Lee Baisinger, in December of 1958, and they enjoyed a 57-year marriage marked by love, care, and affection for each other and their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. In the early years of their marriage, Mike and Linda lived in Berkeley, Albany, Alhambra, Venice, and Santa Monica, and eventually made their way back to Bakersfield in the mid 1960's. They purchased a house to raise their family and that home became the center of family life for five generations of the McCarthy/Baisinger family.

Mike made his living working with his brother, Robert Edwin McCarthy, Jr. , at McCarthy Tank and Steel (aka McCarthy Steel and Construction) at 3030 M Street in Bakersfield and on South Street in San Luis Obispo until the company was sold in 2000. After over 40 years of dedicated service to the family business, Mike thoroughly enjoyed his retirement. He was an avid golfer and bridge player at Stockdale Country Club. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Linda, and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchild. He volunteered his time coaching new business owners and found great satisfaction in this. He was particularly interested in politics and history, especially the history of California. He was a friend to everyone, a stranger to none, and he had a story to tell for every occasion. As one of his friends said, "He was one of the best men I have ever known," and his family agrees. He was a person of great integrity, great humor, and great generosity.

Mike was actively involved in many community projects including serving as an Elder and Treasurer for many years at First Presbyterian Church. With a few good friends, he started the Bakersfield Running Club in the early 1970's and in the early 1980's with more friends he founded the Airport Bus, Bakersfield's shuttle service to LAX. He served on many local, state, and national boards and was most proud of his service on the board of A-C Electric Company.

Mike is preceded in death by his father and mother, Robert Edwin and Corinne, his brothers William and Robert Edwin, his wife Linda Lee, and his grandson, Michael. He is survived by his daughter, Laura (Cygan) and her husband, Richard, and their children, Richard (RC) Jr, and Jessa; his son, Michael, Jr., and his wife, Norma, and their daughter, Amanda, her husband, Joseph, and their daughter, Annabelle; and his daughter, Melissa.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Bakersfield (1705 17th Street) on August 12 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First Presbyterian Church in memory of Michael and Linda McCarthy.