Edward Michael McCarthy

Edward Michael McCarthy of Marblehead passed away on Monday, July 13, 2026. He was 87 years old. He was the devoted husband of Joan Carver McCarthy, who predeceased him. Edward grew up in Marblehead, MA and was the son of the late John C. & Mary F. McCarthy. He was a graduate of St. Johns Preparatory School, Class of 1956 and received a Bachelors Degree from Villanova University in 1961. Edward had an over 30 year career as a Regional Sales and Distribution Manager for Reader’s Digest magazine, covering the Northeast.

A lifelong athlete and sports enthusiast, Edward was a standout football and basketball player for St. John’s Prep. He was recruited as a quarterback to play football for Villanova and was later inducted into the St. John’s Prep Athletic Hall of Fame. Edward proudly coached Marblehead Youth Football in the 1970s and led his Redskins team to win the league championships several times. For decades he was a member and golfer at Beverly Golf & Tennis, and in his elder years enjoyed playing Bocce and Curling at the Marblehead Council on Aging.

Edward is survived by his son Stephen McCarthy of Charleston, SC, and daughter Erin McCarthy-Freiberger and her husband Philip Freiberger of Marblehead. He leaves grandchildren Ryan Freiberger and Sean Freiberger, as well as Megan Freiberger-Corbett, her husband Daniel Corbett and great granddaughter Renee Corbett. He is also survived by his sister in law Patricia Dzierazk McCarthy, and nieces and nephews John McCarthy and his wife Dawn McCarthy, Kathy McCarthy Marino and her husband Donald Marino, Mary Landry, Jane Winslow, Christopher Archbold and his wife Tracy. Edward is predeceased by his brother John McCarthy, sisters Jane McCarthy, Jacqueline Archbold and husband John, and Marilyn Rodham and husband Edward.

Visiting hours will take place on Thursday, July 16 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Eustis & Cornell of Marblehead, 142 Elm Street. His Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, July 17 at 12:00 PM at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Ave, Marblehead, MA. Following the Mass, burial will take place at Waterside Cemetery on West Shore Drive, Marblehead, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to the Joslin Diabetes Center. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com for Edward's family.