Brian McCarthy

Brian McCarthy, native of East Boston and long time resident of Mission Beach, a San Diego City vital records manager, amateur jazz violinist and Catholic Worker who served in both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Peace Corps, died May 24, 2024, at the age of 91.Brian was born to Anne T. Winston and Charles J. McCarthy, the last of their eight children. He spent his childhood along the waters of Boston Harbor. His family moved to New Jersey where his father worked as a photoengraver for New York newspapers. He served in the US Navy during the Korean War, at Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay and Pearl HarborBrian's college studies were interrupted by the war, and his wanderings to San Francisco, where he took in the jazz scene and Beat Movement. He eventually graduated from St. Peters in New Jersey in 1962, and began a career as a journalist. He worked for UPI in the South during the Civil Rights Movement.Then, in 1964, Brian joined the Peace Corps serving in Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. While there, he met Donna Sprague, also a PC volunteer. Later, both worked at the PC Training Center in Hawai'i. They were married in Hilo on Jan. 1st, 1968. Brian then took a job with the MPAA in Manila where their first son, Christopher, was born. By 1969, they moved to San Francisco and had their second son, Matteo Brian. But they needed to relocate to New Jersey to care for Brian's elderly parents. After his father died, Brian and family were able to return to California. They bought a home in Mission Beach, akin to Brian's coastal boyhood home; swimming and sailing became family pastimes. Brian worked at the San Diego's City Clerk office until retirement. He became a keen runner, completing hundreds of 10k's, dozens of half-marathons and two full marathons, including Boston (in 1983), a life-long goal, and also held his own annual 5k fun run.Brian was civicly active in Mission Beach. He wrote a column in the Mission Beach Star, served on the MB Precise Plan and the MB Town Council, and was a member of the "Save the Coaster Committee". He also loved music, especially Dixieland jazz. He played violin and trombone as a child and returned to violin in retirement, playing in a jazz ensemble, "Let's Reminisce", up until his death. Like his wife, he was an amateur genealogist, with a family tree containing thousands of people. He and Donna tracked down family, traveling to Boston, Portland, Newfoundland and Ireland. He was sustained by the Catholic faith, attending St. Brigid's in PB and streaming Mass from Boston's St. Cecilia's. He also did Centering Prayer, and volunteered every Friday (for over 20 years) to feed the hungry with the Catholic Worker.He is survived by Donna, his wife of 56 years, his sons Christopher and Matteo, grandson Seeger, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers Paul, Edward and Charlie and his sisters Marie, Anna (Sister Mary Brian, RSM), Jean and Cathy (Sister Mercedes, OCD)Services will be held Wednesday, August 7th at Saint Bridget's Church in Pacific Beach at 11:00, followed by a Celebration of Life lunch at the church hall. Donations may be made to the San Diego Catholic Worker or A Faith That Does Justice. A more detailed obit is at: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/san-diego-ca/brian-mccarthy11839307 -30-