Chief Patrick W. McCarthy

Chief Patrick W. McCarthy

Canandaigua - Chief Patrick W. McCarthy, age 86, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, surrounded by his loving family. Pat is survived by his wife of 66 years, Patricia McCarthy; five children, Kevin (Andrea) McCarthy, William (Susan) McCarthy, LauraJean (Mark) Mallon, Brian (Nancy) McCarthy and Patricia (Thomas) McAuley; 12 grandchildren, Erin, Jessica, William, Samantha, Patrick, Michael, Matthew, Meaghan, Robert, Brendan, Kevin and Chloe; seven great-grandchildren, Teagan, McKayla, Colin, Emily, Lilly, Billy and Michael; sister-in-law, Eileen McCarthy; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his younger brother, Donald F. McCarthy in 2016.

Pat was born to William and Agnes (McPartland) McCarthy and raised in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, NY. He was a graduate of St. John's Prep High School, Farmingdale College and studied at John Jay College. Pat served with the NYPD from 1955-1979. He was a mounted police officer, a Lieutenant with the NYC Bomb Squad from 1976-1978, worked in the NYPD Crime Lab and was part of the Investigation Team that solved the notorious "Son of Sam" serial killer case in 1977. He was Chief of Police for the City of Canandaigua from 1979-2008. Professional highlights during his tenure include relocating the Police Department from the City Hall basement to a modern new facility; instituting rigorous professional standards through a prestigious federal accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies; establishing a local Drug Abuse Resistance Education program chapter (D.A.R.E.) in Canandaigua schools and launching a Chaplain Ride-Along program for officers. He was a Criminal Justice professor at Finger Lakes Community College from 1982-2010 and served faithfully as a Naval Reservist from 1953-1977.

Chief Patrick McCarthy was a member of the NYS Police Chiefs Association and International Police Chiefs Association. He was a devout St. Mary's Church parishioner and volunteer. Community-minded, Pat served on the boards for the YMCA, Knights of Columbus and Salvation Army most notably creating and securing federal funding for the Phoenix childcare program that still exists today. He enjoyed writing, reading, history, gardening, farming, a good laugh and spending time with his beloved family. He loved animals—especially horses--and was an avid Mets baseball fan.

Pat's funeral mass will be celebrated Tuesday, September 1, at 1 pm, at St. Mary's Church, 95 N. Main Street, Canandaigua. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Canandaigua. Regretfully, due to COVID restrictions there will be no calling hours or public reception. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to St. Mary's School or the Canandaigua YMCA are appreciated. Arrangements are by Johnson-Kennedy Funeral Home, Inc., Canandaigua. Condolences may be offered at www.johnsonkennedy.com.