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William H. McCarthy Veteran
January 30, 2017

Obituary

William H. McCarthy 94, of Taunton formerly of Brockton passed quietly surrounded by his family January 30, 2017. He was the husband of the late Rosemarie (Chassey) who passed six months to the day before Bill. He was born, raised and educated in Rockland and was the son of the late William H. and Louise (Lucey) McCarthy.

He proudly served his country in the US Army during WWII; receiving the American Theater Campaign Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged in 1946 after four years of service. He returned to Massachusetts where he later married and settled in Brockton in 1951 to raise his family; and remained till moving to Taunton in 1997.

For many years Bill was sole proprietor of Bill's Barber Shop on the East Side of Brockton, and was well known for entertaining his customers as he cut their hair.

Throughout his life he was able to pursue his passion for entertainment beginning with shows in the Army during his service. He was wished many “broken legs” for his extensive performances with the St. Colman’s, Whitman, Fraser, Bridgewater, and Star Players, Brockton Community Theater as well as L.A.F. and Theater One Productions. He could even be found performing an award winning stand-up routine on the Norwegian Cruises to Bermuda.

He might be best known for his holiday reading of Dickens's "Christmas Carol" portraying Ebenezer Scrooge at many historic venues from NH to RI for the last 20 years; always to sold out houses with reservations often made a year in advance. When not on stage he could be found volunteering as a variety of children’s characters at the Children’s Museum in Easton. His zeal for entertainment earned him the Governors Hospitality Award from the Massachusetts Governor's Council on Travel and Tourism presented to him in 2008 by Governor Deval Patrick.
He enjoyed sports especially swimming and diving and competing at meets in Onset where he summered as a child. He loved ballroom dancing and was blessed to have met his wife Rosemarie at one of the many dances they both attended. In later life a true high point for him was competing in "Dancing with Champions" dance contest with his daughter Paula. He loved life and enjoyed touching people’s hearts with a song, a dance or a joke.

Bill is survived by his children Paula Hutcheson and her husband Stephen of Berkley, MA, Neal McCarthy and his wife Noreen of Brockton, Daniel McCarthy of Brockton and Mary Elizabeth Mignano and her husband Dominic of New Jersey, 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. And was also the brother to the late Robert "Bud" McCarthy and Marion McCarthy Levangie.

Visiting hours will be in the Conley Funeral Home 138 Belmont St. (Rte 123) Monday 4-8 pm. A funeral procession will form at the funeral home Tuesday at 8:15 am for a funeral mass in St. Ann Church Raynham at 10 am. Interment will follow with Military Honors in the Massachusetts National Cemetery Bourne at 12:45. In memory of Bill please consider donations to a Pro Life Charity of your choice or to the Children’s Museum in Easton 9 Sullivan Ave, North Easton, MA 02356.

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Conley Funeral & Cremation Service
138 Belmont Street
Brockton, MA 02301
508-586-0742