James Ernest McCarthy Sr.

James Ernest McCarthy, Sr.
James "Jim" Ernest McCarthy, Sr., 95, of Enfield, CT., passed away at UCONN Health Center, John Dempsey Hospital, in Farmington, CT, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
Born on December 26, 1929, in Ashaway, RI, he was the son of the late James Joseph McCarthy and Ada Florence (Erbig) McCarthy. After his father passed in 1931, he and his five siblings grew up with a single parent mother in the post-depression era. From 1946 to 1950, he was employed as a dye-weigher at the Bradford Dying Association in Bradford, RI.
In May 1950, he enlisted in the Army at Ft Dix, NJ, and he volunteered in 1951 for the Korean war. Assigned to Company G, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, PFC Jim McCarthy was immediately thrown into battle, and after 4 months, he was leading an infantry platoon. In an infamous prisoner uprising at Koge Island, the US POW Camp commander was held prisoner. SFC Jim McCarthy had bolt cutters at the outer fence, ready to lead his soldiers, along with other units, in the rescue with deadly force. The prisoners released BG Dodd, ending the standoff. He earned 3 bronze stars for bravery in combat.
In March 1954, he married Ruth Tacy Saretzki, in Ashaway, RI. After serving in Keflavik, Iceland, the couple moved to Fort Leonard Wood, MO, managing the rifle training and night live fire.
He utilized GI Bill benefits to attend the Porter School of Tool and Machine Design. In 1957, he was hired by the Metropolitan District as a cartographer. On January 4, 1959, his drawings of the proposed fluoride/chlorine water treatment building for Hartford appeared on the front page of the Hartford Courant. He was promoted to construction inspector, while relocating his family in 1960 to Enfield, CT. He was the first President of the Southwood Acres Civic Association board. His detailed report to the Town of Enfield to adopt the Town Manager/Town Council form of government, was subsequently adopted. In 1966, while supervising a construction project in Rocky Hill, dinosaur tracks were unearthed. He immediately shutdown the project, and subsequently, in 1968 this site became the Dinosaur State Park.
Promoted to Senior Construction Inspector, he drew the most challenging construction assignments, and frequently managed multiple construction projects simultaneously.
He was extensively involved as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, church choir and member of the Enfield Congregational Church. He was renowned for performing hymns as both a soloist and with his harmonica.
Jim retired after 35 years with the MDC in 1992, to enjoy travel with his wife, and visiting the extended family. They enjoyed annual trips to Pigeon Forge, Dollywood and Lake George. With increased free time, he also enjoyed playing the organ. His overseas adventures included trips to Germany, Peru and Ireland. His son, David, was always available to assist with any project, support or need for the remainder of his life.
After the passing of his wife, Ruth, in 2012, he enjoyed family vacations with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to the Bahamas, Arizona and Pittsburgh.
The last two years of his life were incredibly enhanced by four caregivers, Cindy Prajzner, Cheryl Munn, Trish Morse and Margaret Lowney of Enfield, CT. They went far beyond being companions, taking him on daily adventures exploring events and places in the area, and even including Jim in their family activities.
Jim leaves two sons, James E. McCarthy, Jr. and his wife, Beverly, of Goodyear, AZ, and David K. McCarthy, of Windsor Locks, CT, and a daughter, Linda J. Mason and her husband, Chip, of Farmington, CT; grandchildren, (Jim's) James E. III, and his wife, Sophia of Singapore, Michael, and his wife, Rachel of Pittsburgh, PA, Laurie Martin of Freedom, PA, (David's) Jennifer, and husband, Shane Lemons, of Burlington, NC, Shawn of Greensboro, NC, and predeceased son, Joshua, and (Linda's) Eliza and husband, Sam Peglow, of MN, Zachariah Mandzik and wife, Kimi, of Washington, DC, and Vanessa Reynolds of Farmington, CT. Also, great-grandchildren, (Jim's) Jim IV of Singapore, (Michael's) Zoey Buttino, Michael, both of Pittsburgh, PA, (Laurie's) Maria Mundy, Maddox, Mila and MacKenzie, all of Freedom, PA, (Jennifer's) Alice, Dorothy, and Emma, all of Burlington, NC. Additionally, great-great-grandchildren, (Zoey's) Zayne, Arkham and Elias, all of Pittsburgh, PA. He also leaves sister-in-law, Carole Saretzki (wife of his wife, Ruth's brother, Walter) of Ashaway, RI.
He was predeceased by his sister, Florence, and her husband, Norman LaMontagne (Torrance, CA), brother, Robert and his wife, Dolly (Stonington, CT), brother, Charles, and his wife, Beverly (Norwich, CT), sister, Gladys, and her husband, Danny Shea (Pawcatuck, CT), and sister, Gloria, and her husband, Jim Croxton (Groton, CT).
A funeral service celebrating Jim's life will be held at the Leete-Stevens Funeral Home, 61 South Road, Enfield, CT, on Friday, September 19, 2025, at 10 am, followed by burial in Hazardville Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call on Jim's family at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Road, Enfield, on Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 4 pm to 7 pm, and on Friday, September 19, 2025, from 9 am to 10 am.
Donations in Jim's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society.
To leave an online message of sympathy, please visit www.leetestevens.com .