Joseph Francis McCarthy

fought for 5 1/2 years.

Joe was born in Compton, CA , June 16, 1955, to Joseph McCarthy Jr. and Winnie Stone McCarthy. The only son, he was the youngest of five children.

He grew up in Lynwood, CA, and attended St. Emydius Catholic School, St. Philip Neri Catholic School and in 1973 graduated from Lynwood High School. In 1977 he graduated from the University of California at Irvine (UCI) with a degree in Social Ecology. Soon thereafter, he started his 36 year airline career at Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA). Over the years PSA eventually morphed into U.S. Airways which then merged with American Airlines. While working for U.S. Airways, Joe met and married the love of his life, Janet Steinhauer McCarthy. He retired in August, 2015.

Joe was active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and attended the National Jamboree in 1969. Joe played Little League Baseball where he developed his lifelong love of all things baseball, especially the L.A. Dodgers. While at Lynwood High School, he was on the Varsity Tennis team, was elected Senior Class President, and graduated in the top 5% of his class. During his career, Joe received awards and recognitions too numerous to list.

The love of photography he inherited from his father was initially a hobby. Over the years the airlines recognized his talent and incorporated this skill into job assignments that took him all over the country and overseas. Many of his photos were featured in company publications. During his travels he developed an eccentric interest in taking pictures of fire hydrants for which he became famous amongst almost anyone who knew him. Family and close friends came to eagerly anticipate the yearly hydrant calendar that displayed a fraction of his collection.

Joe pursued all his varied interests with vigor and passion. As a cyclist, he completed two century rides (100 mi.). As a backpacker, he hiked in Europe for 3 months, in many of the National Parks, and on many local desert trails. He was a beer enthusiast who also appreciated fine wine and was knowledgable about both. He and his wife participated in many charitable and fun runs. Although Joe was a Parrot Head, his avid love of music ranged from high brow to bluegrass.

More than anything, Joe was known and loved as a role model because he possessed the following traits. He was honest, moral, loving, giving, clever, smart, outgoing, optimistic, kind, funny, compassionate, hard working, sincere, genuine, positive, tenacious, courteous, thoughtful, trustworthy, and had an immense love of friends and family. He did not fear death because he loved and trusted God.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a younger brother, Michael. He is survived by his wife, Janet; sisters Pat Spandle, Kathleen McCarthy-Goode (Mark), Dorothy Grimmett (Richard), and Colleen Crockett (Clint); parents, brothers and sisters-in-law, John & Jane Steinhauer, Joanie and Phillip Worsham, Matt and Leann Steinhauer, and Steven Steinhauer; numerous nieces and nephews; and hundreds of devoted loving friends.

There will be a visitation at Desert Cross Lutheran Church, 8600 S. McClintock, Tempe, AZ, on Friday, February 19 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The Celebration of Life will also be at the Desert Cross Lutheran Church on Saturday, February 20, at 1:00 p.m.