GERALD J. MCCARTHY

GERALD J. MCCARTHY GLENS FALLS, N.Y. - BURLINGTON - Gerald J. McCarthy, 98 years 10 months, of Burlington, Vermont and Glens Falls, New York, died peacefully on Dec. 2, 2009. He was born on Jan. 15, 1911, in Albany, N.Y. The son of Katherine (Collins) McCarthy and Dennis McCarthy, both immigrants from the Skibbreen area of Co. Cork, Ireland, Jerry nursed both his parents through the influenza epidemic of 1918, at the age of seven. He always held a part time job from the age of ten and paid his own tuition when he attended Christian Brothers Academy in Albany, graduating in 1928. His career of 47 years with the Niagara Mohawk Power Co. was interrupted only by his service in the Second World War. A First Class Torpedoman on a Motor Torpedo Boat, Squadron 10, Jerry fought the Pacific War in the Solomon Islands, New Guinea and Morotai. He was on P.T. 108, 163, 167 and 171. An inherent distrust of management led him to become a very successful President of the regional IBEW for many years. In 1940 Jerry married Kathleen Lyons of North Adams, Massachusetts who predeceased him in 2001. He was also predeceased by his son Brian McCarthy in 2005, a sister, Mary McCarthy McCartan, and two brothers, Cornelius and James McCarthy. He is survived by a daughter Karen McCarthy Cady of Burlington; a grandson, Colin Lyons Cady, of Seattle, Washington; several nieces and nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews. Jerry was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who shared his love for the outdoors with his entire family. He knew how to instill a passion for the remarkable beauty of the Adirondack lakes, from Lake George to Upper Saranac, in his children. He loved reading, especially American history, of which he was an unofficial scholar. He loved authors such as Francis Parkman, Shelby Foote, Bruce Catton and Kenneth Roberts. He often took his family to visit Fort Ticonderoga, Fort William Henry, Saratoga Battlefield and forts on the Quebec side of the border. He was a resident of Glens Falls for over forty years, only leaving his beloved neighborhood on Lincoln Avenue at age 96. Friends may call from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street, Hudson Falls. A Rite of Committal will be celebrated at 12:30 p.m. on Monday at the Gerald B.H. Solomon, Saratoga National Veteran's Cemetery on Duell Road in the town of Stillwater. His family would like to thank the support that Pop received at Ruggles House, especially the loving attention of Maria Jacobite, as well as the hospice team and volunteers who helped care for Jerry during the past year. Thanks also to Ben Ash for solid professional support. Online condolences may be made by visiting ww.carletonfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jerry's memory to the Vermont Respite House, Williston, Vermont 05495.