James Brendan McCarthy

James, known as Brendan to his siblings and as Jim to everyone else, was raised in Killarney as the eldest of six siblings. At the age of 20, he emigrated to Boston, Massachusetts. He served in the US National Guard and eventually earned his US citizenship. He met Mary, the love of his life, in Dorchester, Massachusetts, and they married in Dublin in 1978. They welcomed their son James (Jamie) in 1981 and their daughter Joanne in 1983. Jim spent 55 years working at Xaverian Brothers High School. A lover of Irish music, reading, and collecting stamps and antiques, Jim was a quiet man with quick wit and a great sense of humor. He loved his family dearly and was a proud “Papa” to his four grandchildren.

Beloved husband of the late Mary P. McCarthy (Fitzpatrick). Loving father of Joanne Butterfield and her husband Andrew of Westwood, and Jamie McCarthy and his wife Shannon of Walpole.

Cherished grandfather of Milo Butterfield, Cora Butterfield, Claire McCarthy, and Brenna McCarthy.

Brother of Maura McCarthy, Donal McCarthy and his wife Ann, Margaret Condon and her husband Eamon, Anne Brown and her husband Gary, and Leo McCarthy and his wife Tara.

Also survived by many loving sisters and brothers in law, nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to visitation in the Gillooly Funeral Home, 126 Walpole St, (Rt.1A) NORWOOD, on Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 10AM-11:30AM. Service at the Funeral Home at 11:30AM. Interment to follow at Highland Cemetery, Norwood.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Jim’s memory to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/Donation2?df_id=2100&mfc_pref=T&2100.donation=form1