John McCarthy

JOHN C. MCCARTHY, 96 ROCKFORD - John C. McCarthy, 96, of Rockford, a founding partner of one of Rockford's oldest and largest law firms, died Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011, at his home. Born Jan. 17, 1915, in Washington, D.C., the son of John Crosby McCarthy Sr., and Emma Heine McCarthy. He graduated from Rockford High School in 1932 - playing left-end on the school's undefeated football team while at the same time becoming an accomplished violinist. He attended the University of Michigan as an undergraduate, where he studied Roman law, in Latin, and following graduation in 1936, went on to the University of Michigan Law School, graduating in 1939. He married his college sweetheart, Carroll J. Adams, in 1940. They were married for 65 years prior to her death on March 20, 2005. Following service with the Army Judge Advocate General Corps in World War II, he returned to Rockford and was associated in the practice of law with Karl C. Williams in 1940, leading to the formation of the firm now known as WilliamsMcCarthy LLP. He was primarily a trial lawyer, once completing four jury trials in two weeks, which at the time was a Winnebago County record. John provided a lifetime of leadership and service to a wide range of civic, charitable, and professional organizations, serving as chairman of the Board of Trustees of Rockford College, president of the Winnebago County Bar Association, chairman of the Board of Trustees of Rockford Memorial Hospital, moderator of the Second Congregational Church of Rockford, and president of the University Club of Rockford. He served as an officer of the Steering Committee which led to the establishment of the University Of Illinois College Of Medicine in Rockford, served for many years as a member of the Rockford Medical Education Foundation, and received an award for Distinguished Community Service from the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford in 1987. He also received the Service Above Self Award from the Rockford Rotary Club in 1990, was inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame in 1995, received the Triumvirate Award of Rockford Memorial Hospital, an honorary doctorate from Rockford College in 1980, and the Edward Potter Lathrop Medal of the Winnebago County Bar Association in 2005. Survived by daughter, Karen T. McCarthy of North Miami Beach, Fla., and several nieces and nephews. Predeceased also by his parents; stepmother, Anne Roberts McCarthy; brother, Robert Bernard McCarthy; and sister, Mary Eleanor Gleeson. Memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, in Second Congregational United Church of Christ, 318 N. Church St., Rockford, with the Rev. Dr. J. Michael Solberg, senior minister officiating. Memorial gifts may be sent to a charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements by Olson Funeral & Cremation Services Ltd., Fred C. Olson Chapel 1001 Second Ave. To share a memory or online condolence, visit olsonfh.com.