David J. McCarthy

David J. McCarthy, 84, of Bristol, devoted husband of Mary Ann (Kozikowski) McCarthy, loving father, proud grandfather and cherished member of a big Irish family, passed away peacefully on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) in the comfort of his own home.

Dave was born on March 30, 1941, in Bristol to the late Jack and Marie (Ryan) McCarthy as one of ten children. David grew up in a lively household where laughter, hard work and family were everything.

He graduated from Bristol High School, served his country in the United States Army, put himself through the University of Connecticut and spent his career in the insurance industry with Aetna and Pheonix before moving into quality assurance and systems testing where his sharp mind and problem-solving skills shone.

Dave devoted his professional life to helping others do important work well and with integrity. Over the course of his career, he spent eight years with Insight Consulting Group and more than ten years with RCM Technologies, where he became a highly respected consulting leader in the pharmaceutical industry.

Dave worked closely with major pharmaceutical companies as they brought new medicines to market, guiding them through the complex and highly regulated process required by the Food and Drug Administration. He understood that these standards exist for a reason-to protect patients and give doctors confidence in the treatments they prescribe-and he took that responsibility seriously.

Throughout every phase of a drug's life cycle, from research and development through manufacturing, distribution, and sales, Dave helped his clients meet demanding FDA requirements for computer systems, documentation, and testing. His expertise, attention to detail, and steady leadership played an important role in the successful launch of many new products.

Above all, Dave was known not just for what he did, but for how he did it-with professionalism, dedication, and a genuine desire to help others succeed. His work left a lasting impact on the people and organizations he served, and he will be remembered with deep respect and gratitude by colleagues, friends, and family alike.

David's greatest joy was his family. He met Mary Ann through a dear friend and together they shared years filled with laughter, adventure and unwavering love. He adored the arrival of their daughter, Carrie and later, his three grandchildren, spending countless hours creating memories with them – from puppet shows to endless games of grocery store, and attending all of their shows and sports events. He lived his marriage vows fully, supporting Mary Ann especially in later years.

Faith, family, humor and kindness were hallmarks of his life. He was a familiar presence at Mass, cherished family reunions, trips to Maine and gatherings with siblings, nieces, nephews and friends. His sense of humor and warm heart made every room a little brighter. David had a special way of making people feel seen and valued, whether they were lifelong family and friends, colleagues, or his daughter's friends.

In addition to his loving wife of 51 years, David is survived by his daughter: Carrie Patterson and her husband, Michael of Wolcott; five siblings: Gary, Richard, Kevin, Brian and Kathleen McCarthy; three grandchildren: Abigail, Meaghan and Michael Patterson; as well as in-laws, nieces and nephews and countless friends who will carry his laughter and love with them always.

He was predeceased by four siblings: John P. McCarthy, Jr., Joyce Maghini, Maureen Carter and Geraldine Olson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday (February 27, 2026) at St. Anthony Church, 4 Union City Rd., Prospect. Burial, with military honors, will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, 522 Terryville Ave., Bristol. Relatives and friends may call at Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Ave., Bristol, on Thursday between 3 and 7 PM. Please visit David's memorial website at www.FunkFuneralHome.com.