SPRINGFIELD – Raymond J. “Mac” McCarthy, 87, of the Hungry Hill section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Sunday, February 5, 2017. He passed into Eternal Life at Heritage Hall West in Agawam surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield on October 26, 1929, a beloved son of the late John F. and Rose (Robitaille) McCarthy. He was raised in Springfield, graduated from the former Springfield Technical High School and was a lifelong resident of Springfield. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War and attained the rank of Corporal. He was employed as a sales coordinator at the former Package Machinery in West Springfield and had previously worked part-time at Milton Bradley in East Longmeadow. He was a communicant of the former Our Lady of Hope Church and currently a communicant of Mary, Mother of Hope Church, both in Springfield. He also was a member of the Adriatic Club in Springfield. An avid New England sports fan, he loved watching the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots, whom he watched win their 5th Super Bowl Championship from his Eternal Home in Heaven. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and his many friends. He leaves his beloved wife and soul mate, Gloria R. (Palazzesi) McCarthy. They were married on June 11, 1955 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Springfield and were blessed with over 61 years of happiness together. He also leaves his five loving children, Debra A. Aberdale and her husband, Thomas, of Chicopee, Judith M. Moriarty and her husband, James, and Diane M. Grindle and her husband, James, all of Feeding Hills, Raymond J. McCarthy, Jr. of Chicopee and Robert F. McCarthy and his wife, Mary-beth, of West Springfield; his nine cherished grandchildren, Christopher Aberdale and his partner, Sarah, Michael Aberdale, Kara Dasso and her husband, Adam, Brian and Kate Moriarty, Kelly and Amy Grindle and Samantha and Ashley McCarthy; his three cherished great-grandchildren, Lily and Liam Aberdale and Jack Dasso; his dear brother-in-law, Tony Palazzesi and his wife, Ginny, of Somers, CT; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the McCarthy and Palazzesi families. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his dear brother, John F. McCarthy, Jr. who was Called Home in 1983; and his dear sister, Rita M. Sullivan who was Called Home on July 29, 2010. His funeral will be held on Monday morning, February 13, 2017 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, (funeral home will open at 8 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at Mary, Mother of Hope Church, 840 Page Boulevard, Springfield, MA 01104. His Committal Service with United States Army Military Honors will follow the Mass at 11 a.m. in the Committal Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday afternoon, February 12, 2017 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. For those who prefer, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to Mary, Mother of Hope Church, 840 Page Boulevard, Springfield, MA 01104 or to the Shriners Hospital for Children, (Please specify Springfield), 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
