Donald Leo McCarthy

1934 - 2023

McCARTHY

DONALD LEO McCARTHY Captain (SC), US Navy (Ret.)

September 26, 1934 â€" November 10, 2023

(Age 89)



Captain Donald "Don" McCarthy entered into eternal rest on November 10, 2023. He was born in Cambridge, MA on September 26, 1934 to William and Irene McCarthy. After finishing High School (1952), Don earned a B.S.BA in Economics from Boston College (1956) and an MBA from The Babson Institute (1957). Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Navy to attend the Navy's Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI. He was commissioned as an Ensign, Supply Corps and matriculated at the U.S. Navy Supply Corps School in Athens, GA. Don's naval career would center on logistics and fiscal management.



Upon graduation from NSCS, Don was assigned to USS Whitfield County (LST 1169) as Supply Officer, followed by a tour of duty at the Naval Station Newport, RI, where he met his future wife, Valerie (Hammel) then a Navy Nurse.



After a second sea tour on USS SELLERS (DDG 11), Don's next assignment took him to The U.S. Naval Academy, where he was an Instructor. After Annapolis, he served at the Naval Shipyard, Pearl Harbor, followed by duty on the staff of the Chief of Navy Materiel in Washington. Don returned to Academia in 1971 to earn a second MA in Defense Systems Analysis at the University of Rochester, NY. That provided a basis for future assignments to senior staff positions in Washington and Pennsylvania.



He was called to serve at the Office of the CNO, followed by selection as Comptroller of the Navy Ship's Parts Control Center, Mechanicsburg, PA. Don returned to Washington to serve on the Financial Staff of The Navy Supply Systems Command, and was subsequently promoted as the Comptroller, Naval Air Systems Command, normally a Flag Billet. Don completed his 26 years of distinguished Naval service, retiring as a decorated Captain in 1983 as the Executive Officer of the Fleet Materiel Support Office, a think tank for Navy Logistics.



Upon retirement, Don joined the Arthur Young accounting firm, followed by sharing his business and financial expertise with several small businesses.



After his second retirement in 2007 Don and Valerie moved to Kilmarnock, in the Northern Neck of Virginia. They enjoyed life on the peninsula until joining the Falcons Landing retirement community in 2009 to be closer to their family.



In 1962, Don married Valerie, his life's companion of 61 years, who survives him. They settled in Fairfax County, VA. where they raised their six children. The entire McCarthy clan greatly enjoyed sports (primarily in Soccer) and friendly family competition. Don is also survived by his children Deirdre White (Mark), Donald J. McCarthy (Jaki), Megan McCarthy, Brian McCarthy (Meredith), Erin McCarthy, ten grandchildren (who lovingly referred to him as Papa), Keiley, Brennen, Riley, Colin, Kira, Rohan, Hannah, Aidan, Grace and Clare. His son-in-law Harry Sober, sister-in-law Kathleen Hammel, and niece Shannon McCarthy survive him as well.



Don was recently preceded in death by his daughter Kathleen Sober.



His love for his family and his country was unwavering. "Fair Winds and Following Seas", until we meet again…



A mass will be held at St. Mary's of Sorrow Catholic Church, Fairfax, VA on Friday, December 1, 2023 at 11 a.m. followed by a small gathering of friends and family at a location to be determined. Don's inurnment at Arlington National Cemetery and a celebration of his life will be held at a later date.