Joseph John McCaughey

July 13, 1928 - April 7, 2025

Longtime resident of Merced, CA, Joe McCaughey passed away of natural causes in his home on April 7, 2025, at age 96. He was born in Watsonville, CA, to the late Patrick Joseph and Anita Driscoll McCaughey. He attended Hartnell Junior College and the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science. He began his career in Merced at Ivers and Alcorn Funeral Home, and was later employed by Farmers Insurance Group for 35 years, while concurrently working at the funeral home for more than 60 years.

In 1949 he enlisted in the Navy Reserve, and later became the first man from Santa Cruz county to be drafted for the Korean War. He was stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX, and at Camp Pickett, Richmond, VA, where he purchased his well-known 1952 Chevrolet Deluxe in 1952.

In 1954, he married Evelyn Temmermand in Salinas, CA. They made their home in Merced and raised three daughters: Anne (husband Walter), Patricia, and Phyllis. He and Evelyn also served as godparents and mentors to several young people before finally becoming grandparents in 2000 at the birth of their grandson, Evan Freeman.

Joe was extremely proud of his 100% Irish heritage, and for more than 30 years he and Evelyn hosted terrific St. Patrick’s Day parties. They also loved going to any other kind of party, and they were avid San Francisco Giants fans who were overjoyed to celebrate 3 World Series victories. Joe was a regular fixture at the Elks Lodge and the Italo-American Lodge events. For many years, he attended the annual April 18th remembrance of the 1906 Earthquake in San Francisco; his mother’s uncle had been the mayor of The City at the time of the quake and Joe had plenty of passed-down stories to share.

In 1998, a car wrecked and burst into flames on Bear Creek Drive, in front of the McCaughey home. Joe rushed to the scene and rescued three of the five passengers by pulling them out through the car windows. The story made statewide TV news and was picked up by print media in other areas of the country. Almost inevitably, the headlines led with “70-year-old man saves three.” Joe (always physically active) grumbled a bit: “They think we’re all in wheelchairs!” but he graciously accepted accolades from organizations and undying thanks from the rescued and their families, and he shared sympathy with those who were lost.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 66 years. He is survived by three daughters and one grandson, and numerous friends, colleagues, and neighbors.

A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 30 from 7pm to 10 pm at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, 1490 B St. in Merced.

Funeral services will be held at St. Patrick’s Church, 671 E Yosemite Ave, Merced, beginning at 10:30 am on Thursday, May 1, followed by a reception at the church hall.

Burial will take place at noon on Friday, May 2, at Olivet Memorial Park, 1601 Hillside Blvd., Colma CA.

Please join us in remembering Joseph John McCaughey by visiting our Memorial at www.stratfordevansfunerals.com

Through this site, we invite you to view and share cherished photos and videos, share fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the McCaughey Family or share the obituary with others via social media and email. Arrangements are under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home.