Richard James McCarthy

Richard J. “Dick” McCarthy, 86, passed away on June 17, 2023 at his home in Bolivia, North Carolina, after a brief but valiant battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He was surrounded by his family, holding the hand of his loving wife of 59 years and 249 days Rita.

Born September 3, 1936, in Ossining, New York, to the late Elsie Kalnin and James McCarthy, Dick graduated from Ossining High School. His early years were spent exploring the woods and caves around his home, riding his bike great distances to watch the planes at the Danbury airfield, and absorbing the stories of the many characters that inhabited the world of his family. His childhood built the foundation for a lifelong love of nature, machinery and storytelling.

After attending the University of Virginia, Dick headed north, taking a job working on the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway. In 1959 he joined the Army, where he received top secret clearance working on security and aerospace systems, including the hydrogen bomb and Redstone missile system.

Upon his discharge Dick began a 43-year career with Otis Elevator where he rose through the ranks, moving up from the role of field mechanic to that of director of quality. His career took him around the world and was the source of lifelong friendships.

In 1961 Dick met Rita McArdle, whom he would pursue for a year before she agreed to accept his proposal of marriage. Together they would build a life focused on family, friends, faith and home/yard maintenance.

Their four children were the center of their world. Attending sporting events, helping with homework and school projects and directing yard work with the precision of a drill sergeant, Dick was a large presence in the lives of his children and, perhaps to an even greater degree, the lives of his five much-loved grandchildren.

Retiring to the Winding River Community in Bolivia, in 2000, Dick was an active member of the community’s Architectural Review Board and Infrastructure and Landscape Committees. He enjoyed golfing, reading Presidential biographies, visiting the beach and hosting family and friends alongside his beloved wife.

Larger, and often louder than life, Dick was a steadfast friend, a lover of animals, a true storyteller and master of the monologue. His passing has left a great silence and a lasting legacy.

Preceded in death by his sister Joan and brothers-in-law Edward, Frank and Joe, Dick is survived by his truest friend and greatest love, Rita, his sister-in-law and friend Peggy Sheehan of Wells, ME; children, James (Sarah) of London, U.K. Kathleen (Dave) of Baltimore, MD, Rich (Karen) of West Nyack, NY, and Maureen (Dalyn) of East Greenwich, R.I.; and grandchildren, Maggie McCarthy, Kate McCarthy, Elsie McCarthy, Lilly McCarthy and Conor McCarthy.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, July 11 at 10:00 a.m. at St Francis of Assisi Church of West Nyack, NY.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dick’s honor may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation honoring America’s first responders and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitefuneralservicesupply.com for the McCarthy family.