Errol Patrick McCarthy

Errol will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 62 years, Carol McCarthy (“Gramma Mac”), their children; Holly (Darrin), Trevor, Tara (Darren), grandchildren; Rebecca, Dominica, Tate, Kendra, Jenaya, Leila, Tessa and Makenna, sisters Cathy and Lee as well as a large extended family and many great friends.

Errol was predeceased by his mother and father, Lionel and Ruth McCarthy, brothers Jack and Kim and sister Trish.

Errol was born on May 19, 1939, in Kelowna, BC. He grew up in Winfield on the family farm on McCarthy Road. He was the oldest boy in the family of 3 sons and 3 daughters.

Errol was a self-made man. At the age of 17 he tried his hand at several different occupations. He worked as a logger and labourer for several years until he started a plumbing/pipefitter apprenticeship under his brother Jack. He became a journeyman and worked his way up to being foreman on many major projects.

Farming and growing apples was a part of “The Gronk’s” life. From an early age he bought land and put in many hours running the farm even while working his other jobs. In his later years this worked well since he could work in the Summer and fuel his passion for travel in the Winter.

Errol and Carol loved to explore many parts of the world before they were popular and most importantly, expensive. They travelled to Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, South America, Southeast Asia and even started driving the old Dodge Monaco convertible to Mexico in the late 80’s. He enjoyed the country and culture so much that he taught himself Spanish. “Flecha” was known to walk the 10 km beach in La Manz every morning to clean up the garbage, come home, cut massive amounts of mangos and papayas to share with everyone, go for swims in the ocean (even with the crocs), and chat with the locals. The “Big Easy’s” gift for gab made him many lifelong friends spanning several continents.

Besides travel, Errol was an avid hunter and outdoorsman for a good part of his life. He loved nature and was very invested in making a smaller footprint in this world. He was hardworking, a Jack of all Trades, intelligent, an avid reader, and a master conversationalist. He was grateful for what he had, for his family and for how he lived his life. He was a teacher in more ways than one, leading by example. He was the epitome of being an individual, going after what he wanted and striking up a conversation with anybody and everybody. This translates to what his children heard growing up “be a leader, not a follower”, “you can do anything you want; you just have to want it bad enough” and “bull**** baffles brains”. His teaching continued with the grandchildren, teaching some of them to how to ride a bike. He loved spending time with them in the orchard and always had fruit to share while they chatted. 😊 Above all, he loved and supported all of us. He especially never failed to show his love and adoration to “his rock”, Carol right to the end.

Errol’s family are extremely grateful for the staff of the Vineyards Residence in Kelowna, BC for their kind and loving care, providing him dignity and peace in his final days.

A celebration of life will be held later in the Spring of 2026. Date TBA.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com

Arrangements entrusted with First Memorial Funeral Services (Dignity Memorial) Kelowna, BC 250-762-2299