Joseph Michael McCarthy

Born April 3, 1931 in Medicine Hat, AB, peacefully passed away with his wife at his side on May 30, 2011, in Nanaimo, BC.

Joe served with pride and dedication with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police over a 22-year career that took him across Canada. Retiring from the RCMP on Prince Edward Island in 1971, he returned to the West Coast, settling first in Nanaimo, then making Gabriola Island his home since the early `90s. Joe was a man who lived his passions, with fishing on the West Coast and Mexico so fundamental to his being that his children lovingly dubbed him the "Old Man of the Sea". Joe will remain cherished in memory by family and friends alike, especially by his wife Claire (Randy), children David, Moira and Craig, grandchildren Claire, Cameron and Aidan of whom he was ferociously proud, and surviving brother and best friend Brian and sister-in-law Del. A man who loved family celebrations that brought together the extended McCarthy clan, he will wish family and friends to celebrate life at the funeral mass to be held in his honour: Saturday, June 11, 11 am, at Our Lady of Victory Mission (Gabriola's log church), 3380 South Road. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Parkinson Society Canada or the Canadian Cancer Society. The family is deeply grateful to Dr. McKenzie and for the loving care provided by the Palliative Care team at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.


This obituary was originally published in the Nanaimo Daily News and Harbour City Star (Nanaimo, BC).