Kevin MacCarthy

Kevin MacCarthy passed away of natural causes on December 3rd, 2020 in New York City at the age of 79. Kevin was a fifth generation Washingtonian where he attended Gonzaga College High School. He continued his education at the College of the Holy Cross in Worchester, MA. After graduation, Kevin spent a year in Metz, France, teaching English in a French high school, becoming completely fluent in French. Kevin’s love of French culture and the French language continued for the remainder of his life. Upon his return to America, Kevin became a Special Agent in the FBI and, while taking night classes, he obtained a law degree from The Catholic University of America. Kevin then moved to New York City, where he founded his own firm, Kevin MacCarthy Associates, which specialized in international law. A unique highlight in Kevin’s life was his opportunity to serve as the NYC-based manager of the French companies, Métalliers Champenois and Atelier Gohard, during the period, 1984 - 1987, when, at the request of the Statue of Liberty Foundation, they recreated the original Bartholdi torch and flame of the Statue of Liberty. In the restoration of the statue, the torch and flame were the only items that were replaced through a design that kept with Bartholdi’s own drawings. Upon seeing how the new flame turned out to be such a magnificent work of art, Kevin successfully engaged the International Herald Tribune to join him in making a second flame, identical to the one on Liberty Island, and presenting it as a sign of “amitié” to the French People. This second Liberty Flame was installed at the Place de l’Alma in Paris by the then Mayor of Paris, Jacques Chirac, on May 10, 1989. One of Kevin’s last trips outside of his NYC apartment was a visit to Liberty Island where he proudly had his picture taken in front of the statue which held “his” torch and flame. Additionally, Kevin was honored to serve as president of the Paris American Club in New York City for 15 years. He leaves behind his wife, Mireille MacCarthy, his two daughters Nathalie and Valérie, his three grandchildren on whom he doted, Gabriel, Sebastian, and Ariana and his two brothers, Shane and Patrick.

Zoom link to recording of Kevin’s Celebration of Life Event:

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/TWa75yJ8eXz6glCbjutDTr4mT3TUY7m4-e4ZsvvQ05S377TFPIOcNPTBIj_URDc.Igt15s4nJJVR1ZP0

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