Leo Tarcisius McCarthy

Leo McCarthy Obituary

Leo Tarcisius McCarthy August 15, 1930 - February 5, 2007 At home, among the people he loved, Leo T. McCarthy said goodbye to his wife of 51 years, Jacqueline Burke McCarthy, with whom he shared a most remarkable life. Leo's love and guidance is reflected in his daughters and sons, Sharon, Conna, Adam and Niall; by his sons-in law Dale Allen Jr. and Peter W. Craigie; by his daughters-in-law Heather Krill McCarthy and Yvonne Berube McCarthy and through his 11 spirited grandchildren, Courtney and Kevin Allen, Kieran, Cormac and Kathlyn Craigie, Connor, Kate and Jack McCarthy and Marisa, Thomas and Collin McCarthy. Leo was born in Auckland, New Zealand in 1930 and later moved to San Francisco with his parents, Dan and Nora McCarthy and three older brothers, Dan, Michael, and Noel. He was raised in San Francisco's Mission District where he attended Mission Dolores. Growing up at a time when many Americans struggled to provide for their families, the McCarthy boys learned from their father to have empathy for the less fortunate. Leo attended high school at St. Ignatius where he competed on the track team. He graduated from SI in 1948. At the time of the Korean War, Leo served with an intelligence unit of the Strategic Air Command. He graduated from University of San Francisco in 1955 earning a bachelors degree in history. Leo was an active Democratic campaign worker while a student at University of San Francisco. After graduating USF, Leo attended San Francisco Night Law School while he worked as an aide to state senator Eugene McAteer. Leo won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1963 and was re-elected in 1967. He was elected to serve in the California State Assembly in 1968. Leo was elected as Speaker of the California Assembly in June, 1974 where he presided with integrity and skill for the next six and a half years. As Speaker, Leo opened up the workings of the legislature so that the public could see who was doing what and thereby created more accountability in the legislative process. He led one of the most productive and progressive legislative eras in California history. In 1982, Leo was elected Lieutenant Governor for the state of California. He was re-elected in 1986 and again in 1990. He loved serving the people of California. He revitalized the Lt. Governor's office, and caused landmark reform in California nursing homes, took action to preserve the California coast for future generations, and led the state through the turmoil of the Loma Prieta earthquake as acting Governor. After retiring from elected office in 1995, Leo served on the Board of Directors of Forward Fund, the Board of Directors of Linear Technology, and the Board of Directors for Accela. He also served on the St. Ignatius Board of Regents, for the Board of Trustees at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, and on the Advisory Council for the USF School of Business and Management. Leo was active in many Catholic charities, some of which include, Catholic Charities-CYO, The St Vincent de Paul Society and Habitat for Humanity. Most importantly, Leo founded the Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good at the University of San Francisco to establish a program to prepare USF students for careers of skilled, ethical public service and leadership. Family and friends are invited to visit on Thursday, February 8th between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM and to attend a Vigil Service on Thursday at 7:00 PM at St. Ignatius Church on the University of San Francisco campus at the corner of Parker and Fulton Streets, San Francisco. A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated on Friday, February 9th at 10:30 AM at the St. Ignatius Church on the University of San Francisco campus. A reception will follow at the Fromm Center on the USF campus. We suggest parking along Parker Street, or Koret Parking at Parker and Golden Gate or at the St Mary's Medical Center Garage. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to: Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good, 2130 Fulton Street UC 300, San Francisco, CA 94117.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Feb. 7 to Feb. 8, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Leo McCarthy

4 Entries

Maria Del Cupolo

February 8, 2007

We are sorry for your loss.
Our prayers and thoughts are with your family.
love
The Del Cupolo Family
St Stephen Family

Sister Mary Edith Hurley, RSM

February 7, 2007

Dear Sharon,

Today in Sydney, Australia I read the notice of your father's death and wish to express to you and your family my sympathy and assurance of prayers. It was always a joy to vote for him. I was sorry when he retired but know he continuted doing good for others. May he enjoy eternal life with his family who have gone before him and you be encouraged with the thought of knowing what a great Irish American Catholic he was. God bless.

MaryHelen M-Sullivan

February 7, 2007

My daughter, Kelly Elena Marshall, and I wish to express our deepest sympathy to the McCarthy family.

Kelly Elena attended the University of San Francisco having graduated in May, 2006. She was fortunate to have been in Mr. McCarthy's Center for Public Service and the Common Good program at USF. Mr. McCarthy was both helpful and encouraging to the students in this program and through his mentoring, Kelly Elena has chosen to seek a career in public service.

Kelly Elena and I both feel it was both a pleasure and an honor to have met Leo McCarthy. He was a charismatic gentleman and he will be greatly missed.

Condolences from,

MaryHelen Marshall-Sullivan and Kelly Elena Marshall

Ed Manning

February 7, 2007

Maria and I want to thank Governor McCarthy and his family for allowing me the wonderful opportunity to work for him from 1989 to 1992 in the Lieutenant Governor's Office. He truly attracted the best and brightest people, many of whom I still call friends and colleagues to this day. Leo was incredibly givng to all of us who worked for him - a great mentor and role model. As an Irish Catholic kid from New Jersey finding my way in California, Leo provided a compass for me. I was very fortunate to have worked for Governor McCarthy as his representative on the State Lands Commission. He sent me to Alaska shortly after the Valdez oil spill to see what California could do to better protect its coast from similar calamities. Leo then lead the fight for comprehensive legislation - the Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act. Without Leo's vision and leadership, it never would have been enated. What is ieven moreremarkable is that he did this not as Speaer, but as Lieutenant Governor. There are so many examples like this of him exercising toughtful leadership, it could fill a book and hopefully someday will. Thanks you for sharing Leo with all of us. The world is a better place for it and we all share with you a great sense of loss.

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results