Lewiston – Terry L. McCarthy, 67, of Lewiston, passed away on Saturday December 8, 2018 at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Lewiston from complications of cancer. He was born in Caribou, Maine on October 3, 1951 a son of the late Marion (Carter) McCarthy and Harry Gordon McCarthy He graduated from Lewiston High School in the class of 1970 and went on to UMA where he earned his AS in computer sciences.
Following graduation he worked at Deorsey’s where he continued to develop his love and knowledge of music. He worked at The Times Record in Brunswick for the next 30 years before retiring due to ill health.
Terry showed an interest in music at a very early age. His mother said she got him his first guitar at 5 and from that time on he continued to play and improve. He performed with friends on street corners and in store fronts. Eventually, “Terry and The Telstars” emerged. They went on to great success, traveling a circuit of “gigs” that took them throughout Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Canada; the highlight for Terry was opening for Jimi Hendrix in 1968. For the last 40 years, he hosted jams at his home that became known as “The Friday Night Jam”, where all kinds of musicians gathered. He was very proud of helping several people find their way back to music.
In the last year, he developed a passion for gardening. He read all he could and loved to talk about it with anyone.
From the start of his cancer, he kept a journal. His last entry on December 5, 2018 said: “Year is coming to a close – time flies – so does life.”
Terry is survived by his wife of 23 years, Denise; his sister Donna and husband Clarence Schlenker; stepson Jenner and wife Jaime Richard; stepdaughter Amy and husband Nate Morin; grandchildren Izzy and Izac Morin and Emilia and Jagger Richard; sister-in-law Veronica and husband Tom Sawyer and cousin Ronald and wife Grace McCarthy. He also leaves many nieces and nephews. Terry was predeceased by his parents and his brother Gordon Gary McCarthy. Most special were his music/jam brothers, who know who they are.
You are invited to offer your condolences and share fond memories with the family by visiting Terry’s guestbook at: www.thefortingroupauburn.com
Visitation will be held at The Fortin Group/Plummer Merrill Funeral Home in Auburn on Friday January 4, 2019 from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM followed by A Service of Remembrance at 11:00 AM. Following the service, A celebration of life event will be held from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the funeral home. Live music will be played by several of Terry’s fellow musicians to honor all that he has meant to the music community for over 50 years.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Terry’s memory to: The Dempsey Center.Org on line or to: The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing, 10 High St., Suite 301, Lewiston, Maine 04240.
You are invited to offer your condolences and share fond memories with the family by visiting Terry’s guestbook at www.thefortingroupauburn.com
A service of The Fortin Group/ Plummer Merrill Funeral Home, Cremation and Monument Services, 217 Turner St., Auburn, Maine 04210.
