Paul Anthony McCarthy

Paul Anthony McCarthy, 76, of Iowa City, died at home on Monday, March 25, 2024, surrounded by family. A Memorial Service will be at 11:00am on Saturday, April 13, 2024, officiated by Father Chuck Adam at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, Iowa City. Family will greet guests prior to the service from 10-11am at the funeral home. Paul was born on April 12, 1947, in Oakland, CA, the son of Alvin and Frances (Wolf) McCarthy. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Francisco State University and served from 1965-1968 in the US Army. On June 12, 1993, Paul married Patricia Van Hecke at St. Clare Church in Lyndhurst, OH. They were blessed with two children. Paul was an award-winning news producer and newsroom executive at local television stations in West Virginia, Kansas City, MO, New Haven, CT, Davenport, IA, and a short-lived ABC News Bureau in St. Louis, MO. In 1997, he moved his family to Iowa City for work with the telemedicine project at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics Center for Disabilities and Development. He volunteered for his children's activities and schools, served as the Eagle Scout Advisor for Boy Scout Troop 212, the Thoughtful Gentlemen, for several years, and was a member of St. Thomas More Church, Coralville. He was beloved as a deep thinker who loved storytelling, especially in the forms of poetry, theatre, music and movies. Paul always stood up for and spoke up for marginalized people, and tried to treat everyone with dignity and respect. He was a quick-witted, compassionate and spiritual man who loved to laugh and make others laugh. Paul is survived by his loving wife Patty; children Evan McCarthy (Emily Boylan) and Marie McCarthy (Tori Nelson); brothers Chuck (Alice) McCarthy and Dan McCarthy. Paul is also survived by numerous extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Eileen McCarthy. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed online to the Foundation for the ICCSD for the One Tray At A Time project to erase student meal debt or by mail to 1725 N Dodge St, Iowa City IA 52245, or to Iowa City Hospice. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.lensingfuneral.com.