Cornelius F. McCarthy, 90, formerly of Andover, MA and Exeter, NH, died peacefully on Friday, March 14th, 2008. Born in Lawrence, the son of Hannah Dennehy McCarthy and Timothy McCarthy, Mr. McCarthy was a 1936 graduate of Lawrence High School and attended the University of Oklahoma.
Survivors include his beloved wife Patricia McCarthy of Kingston, his daughter Beverly Reed of South Dartmouth, his daughter and son-in-law Mary and Bill Waight of Westminster, his grandchildren Hannah and Brendan Waight, his great grandchildren Matthew and Riley Fortin of Acushnet, his sister Marguerite Casey of Lawrence and his brother Thomas McCarthy of Methuen. Mr. McCarthy was predeceased by his son Neil, his granddaughter Rebecca Fortin and his son-in-law Phil Reed. He also leaves behind his many nieces and nephews.
Mr. McCarthy enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1939, attended Officers' Candidate School and after a successful 20-year career, retired in 1959 at the rank of Major. He served in both World War II and the Korean Conflict, commanded company-size units, and held several administrative positions. In 1960 he began an equally successful civilian career at the HAWK Missile Systems Division of Raytheon as a technical writing supervisor, retiring in 1980 as senior publications engineer.
Cornelius was an avid reader, a writer, and a skilled woodworker. He was a 50-year Member of the Knights of Columbus and the Holy Name Society. At the time of his death, he was a member of St. Michael's Church in Exeter, a past member of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Hampton, New Hampshire, and a long-time parishioner of St. Augustine's Church in Andover. Above all, he was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather.
His Funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 19th, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in Saint Mary's of the Assumption Church in Lawrence, MA.
Burial will follow at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence, MA.
Family and Friends may call on Tuesday, March 18th, 2008 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 122 Amesbury Street, Lawrence, MA. For online condolences and other information, please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers donations are to be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 220 Pawtucket Street, Lowell, MA 01854.