William J “Bill” McCarthy, 85, of Marshfield, MA (formerly of Queechee, VT and Roslindale/Jamaica Plain), passed away surrounded by his children and former wife on November 29, 2025 after a courageous and hard-fought battle with esophageal cancer. In his final months, Bill was the most amazing example of how to leave this world with grace, dignity and bravery! Bill was predeceased by his parents William J “Bobo” McCarthy and Mary F (Dowd) McCarthy. He was a loving and devoted father to his children, Christine McCarthy of Billerica, MA (formerly of Washington, DC and Roslindale), Brendon McCarthy of Rockland, MA (formerly of Framingham and Roslindale) and Jeanne McCarthy of Roslindale, MA. Bill also leaves behind his former wife and dear friend, Alyce Marie (Buswell) McCarthy of Roslindale, MA (formerly of Charlestown) and his cherished sister, Mary Patricia “Pat” (McCarthy) Hagerty of Plainville, MA, as well as many beloved in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews and countless, countless friends.
Bill served in the US Navy from 1957 to 1963. He proudly worked his way up from the warehouse to the offices at Benjamin Shir Shoe Company in Boston and he ended his career driving for Vermont Transit Bus Lines, a place where he found great joy and made many, truly special friends!
Bill loved the ocean and enjoyed living close to the beach in Marshfield for the past decade or so. Besides spending time with family and friends, some of his favorite pastimes were walking, learning about history, watching old Westerns, listening to classic country music and talking about finances.
Our family would like to express our deepest and most heart-felt gratitude to his Oncology team at the Beth Israel Lahey Hospital in Boston for their amazing care for and dedication to Bill.
In honoring his wishes, we will not be holding the traditional wake and funeral services. Instead, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date for family and friends to gather and share memories and stories to remember Bill’s life and the impact he had on us all; we will reach out to loved ones with details in the future. Please feel free to contact one of his children regarding this Celebration of Life.