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BORN
1946
DIED
2016
James McCarthy Obituary
James McCarthy, 69, passed away peacefully on April 3, at Kaiser Hospital, Vacaville. Jim was born on August 27, 1946 in Salem, OR to Alvin and Martha McCarthy, the eldest of five children. His parents and two brothers, Thomas and Richard McCarthy, predeceased him. Survivors are his wife of 46 years, Patricia of Vallejo; sister, Mary Ann McCarthy, and brother, Michael McCarthy, both of Salem, OR; nephews are Richard McCarthy and Timothy (Amanda) McCarthy and Marc Budde; nieces, Susan (Anthony) Trask, and Gina (Jason) Bishop; sisters-in-law, Marilyn Budde and Sandra (Jerry) Aguinaga and brother-in-law, Gregg Van Hees. He also leaves two grand-nephews and five grand-nieces.
Jim joined the Navy as a submarine sailor in 1964, serving proudly during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in 1971. He and Pat returned to Napa to begin 'civilian life' and he quickly found jobs repairing boat motors, then car repair at Courtesy Ford. He began work at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in 1975, working there as an outside marine machinist until shipyard closure in 1996. His last employment was as a welding and machine shop instructor at Cal Maritime, Vallejo, retiring in 2012. Jim loved cars, boats, working on race cars and was the owner of dirt track sprint car #57N until 1987, racing the West Coast with the Northern Auto Racing Association (NARC), especially at Calistoga. In 1990 Jim and Pat joined Vallejo Yacht Club, after buying their first of several boats. They raced and cruised out all over the Bay and Delta waters for about 20 years, enjoying the club and their fellow sailors. He served two terms on the club's Board, and was the club Commodore in 2001.
He will be missed for his quick smile, easy laugh, his helping hands with both boats and cars, and his love for his country, wife, family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at Skyview Memorial Lawn, 200 Rollingwood Drive, Vallejo, on Saturday, April 16, at 11 a.m.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James McCarthy
5 Entries
Gary Perkins
April 8, 2016
You were a good man, a good friend and a good American. Always full of fun. Rest in Peace. I can't think of an English Hillman or a Pontiac without thinking of you and smiling.
Bonnie Chisholm
April 7, 2016
So Sad to hear this news, very nice person. He will be missed
Nick Nichols
April 7, 2016
To the McCarthy Family,
On behalf of the Charleston Base SUBVETS and Swamp Fox Chapter SUBVETS WWII, I offer you our sincere condolences on James' passing. We grieve with you on the loss of your loved one and all SUBVETS and their families have your family in our thoughts and prayers. There is no expiration date on the back of our dolphins and James will always be remembered as a Brother of the Phin and a great Patriot.
James F. McCarthy
US Navy Submarine Veteran
Now on Eternal Patrol
Sailor Rest Your Oar
Your Shipmates Have The Watch
Fair Winds and Following Seas Shipmate
Charleston Base Submarine Veterans
Nick Nichols, Base Chaplain
Bill Dixon
April 7, 2016
On behalf of the United States Submarine Veterans (USSVI), I offer our sincere condolences on James' passing. You and your loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers. We are forever grateful for James' service to our country in the U.S. Submarine Service. To our Brother we say, Sailor, rest your oar. We have the watch. May you rest in peace and may God bless your loved ones who remain. Thank you for your service to our country."
Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. - 2 Thess 3:16.
James McCarthy, US Navy, Now on Eternal Patrol.
Fair Winds and Following Seas Shipmate
His record is now posted online in the Eternal Patrol file on the USSVI website.
Bill Dixon, National Chaplain United States Submarine Veterans, USSVI.
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