JOSEPH A. MCCARTHY

McCARTHY, Joseph A. 90, of Riverwoods at Exeter, NH, formerly of both East Orleans and Andover, MA, and many places in between, died on May 25, 2013. He was the son of the late Joseph A. and Catherine B. McCarthy of Andover, MA. He is survived by his widow, Marcella, known better as Marcie, having been married for sixty-three years, and his sister, Kathryn, of Lexington, MA, also formerly of Andover. He is further survived by his cousin, Claire McCarthy of Lawrence, MA, and numerous nieces and nephews and their offspring who loved their "Uncle Joe". Joe spent much of his life as an actor, stage designer, educator, and eventually as a volunteer for numerous community organizations in Orleans, Exeter, and Riverwoods, and was the go-to guy for "any darn thing that needed to be fixed". Joe was a veteran of World War II, having served as a medic on Liberty Ships, primarily in the Mediterranean for three years. After discharge, he completed his college degree at Tufts University and began an apprenticeship at the Cleveland Playhouse where he met Marcie. After further graduate study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he was a faculty member at both the State University of New York at New Palz and Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, teaching set design. He then worked in the State of Pennsylvania Department of Education before retiring to Orleans and then Exeter. At his request, no services will be held at this time. However, a memorial service will be held later at Riverwoods to celebrate his life, work, and wit. Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to the Department of Drama, Tufts University, 23 George St., Medford, MA 02155, or to the Spencer Fund at Riverwoods, 10 White Oak Dr., Exeter, NH 03833. Brewitt Funeral Service, 14 Pine St., EXETER, NH, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information, please visit www.brewittfuneralhome.com