Dr. John J. McCarthy

Dr. John J McCarthy, Jr. peacefully passed away on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at home in the presence of his beloved wife of 75 years, Colette (Denise) Shanahan McCarthy. He was 98 years old. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Dr. John J. McCarthy, Sr. and Elizabeth (Gene) Powley McCarthy, and his younger brother Dr. Thomas E. McCarthy. He is survived by his loving wife Denny McCarthy, four children, Linn McCarthy Swanson (Michael), Chris McCarthy, John J. McCarthy III (Amy) and James P. McCarthy (Karen). He was blessed with 9 grandchildren, Matthew R. Swanson (Ashley), Janice Swanson Kubiska (Peter), Elizabeth Swanson McHugh (Gregory), Michael D. Swanson, Jr. (Kate), C.C. McCarthy Breier (Rob), John J. McCarthy IV (Samara), Walker McCarthy (Katy), Ryan McCarthy (Taylor) and Patrick McCarthy. His life was graced by 15 great grandchildren who he loved spending time with. He was a wonderful devoted family man.
He was born March 15, 1926 in Avella, PA, a coal mining town where his father worked as a coal mine physician. He graduated high school from Shadyside Academy. He attended Franklin and Marshall College and then proceeded to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (His father's Alma Mater), graduating in 1949 at the age of 23. He served his internship at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh and then joined the U.S. Navy and was assigned to Camp LeJeune, North Carolina. He served 2 years as a Medical Officer at Camp LeJeune and at discharge, returned to Pittsburgh to serve his residency in Ob & Gyn at Magee Women's Hospital.
Dr. McCarthy met the love of his life, Colette (Denny) Shanahan at an exclusive viewing of the movie "Going My Way". Both sets of their parents joined the Pittsburgh Field Club in 1944 and it was there that John and Denny nurtured their love for each other while also nurturing a mutual love of golf. They have been members of the club for 80 years. June 9, 1949, John and Denny were married at Sacred Heart Church.
Upon completion of his residency in 1956, he assumed the Ob-Gyn segment of his father's general practice in Oakland, Soho and the Hill District of Pittsburgh. He later joined Dr. Charles J Barone in practice at Magee.
Dr. McCarthy, like his father, (and later his son, John) was a consummate physician with outstanding bedside manner, conducting his career and practice with skill, empathy and compassion and ministering to his patients as a minister or priest to his congregation. He had the utmost respect for his patients and life. Until his retirement in 1991, he made house calls on his high-risk bed confined patients.
Dr. McCarthy converted to Roman Catholicism in the late 1940s and at the behest of Cardinal John Wright, formed and medically directed the Family Life Center on Bayard Street in Oakland. An international renowned expert in Natural Family Planning, he instituted a training program for couples.
At his retirement in 1991, Dr. McCarthy and his wife, built a winter home in Rio Verde, Arizona. A golf retirement community near Scottsdale where they spent their winters for over 30 years. He became an expert in wood carving, producing several birds, animals and other carvings that are truly works of art.
Another of his passions, was his yearly golf trip with "the guys", seven other members of the Pittsburgh Field Club, who, over a span of 35 years, traveled everywhere from Muirfield in Scotland to Pine Valley to Pinehurst and to Augusta National, not only playing the game, they all loved, but also experiencing a fellowship in competing for "the McCarthy Cup Trophy" which would be difficult to match today.
This was indeed a life well lived based upon a devotion to God, family, patients and country.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, July 24th at 10 AM at Christ the King Parish– St. Scholastica Church, 309 Brilliant Avenue, Aspinwall, PA 15215. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Angel's Place, 2615 Norwood Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15214.
Arrangements by John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc. (freyvogelfuneralhome.com)
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