Eugene McCarthy was a man dedicated to his faith, family, career, and country. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on April 12, 2021. Gene is survived by his loving wife of over 53 years, Margaret, daughters Carolyn and Allison, their husbands Tom and Erik, and grandchildren Sophie, Owen, and Anna. Gene is also survived by his sister-in-law Barbara and he was the proud uncle to Joe, Cindy, Mark, Kelly, and Matthew.
Gene’s dedication to his career at Delta is something rarely seen in today’s world. He spent almost 50 years at the company—originally at Northeast Airlines in Boston, and then moving to the Southside of Atlanta with a young Carolyn in tow to start a new life, a new adventure. He worked his way through the ranks at the Tech Ops division while taking full advantage of the flight benefits. Sometimes flying his family to Europe to open his daughters’ eyes to a world outside of their own, or even just a day trip back to Boston to keep the McCarthy family bond strong.
Gene’s traits of loyalty and work ethic were also evident in his time with the U.S. Navy Reserve, serving multiple tours that took him across several oceans and seas and countless ports around the world. Again, his hard work propelled him through the ranks as Senior Chief. But his dedication to his country didn’t stop there. He continued his service through his work with the Naval Reserve Association (NERA), volunteering his time to help build and promote the importance of serving one’s country.
Gene loved dancing, boats, and cars. One doesn’t get the nickname Gene “The Dancing Machine” by being a wallflower. His love for country music translated well on the dance floor through the dozens of different line dances he learned. The Navy man couldn’t stay away from the water for very long, as you could find him in his “Woody” or pontoon boats on Lake Allatoona on most weekends. When not on the water, he would be in his garage tinkering with his 1963 Pontiac Bonneville while the Braves game played in the background.
All of his personal adventures and hobbies were merely preparation for his last and favorite role—being a grandfather. “Pop Pop” shared his love for travel by taking his three grandchildren—Sophie, Owen, and Anna—to Boston to share his family history and even to Tokyo, where he took Owen after he broke his leg and Pop Pop let him choose to go anywhere in the world. Pop Pop loved whipping his grandchildren around Lake Allatoona while they hung onto a tube for their lives (he enjoyed that a little too much!). And he loved having them in the backseat of the Bonneville cruising around Jonesboro and Stockbridge with the top down, joking about his three hairs getting messed up in the wind.
Gene McCarthy was also a good and faithful servant of his church community. As a member of the Stockbridge First United Methodist Church since 1982, Gene served in a variety of leadership roles to promote church growth and welcomed everyone at the door as a proud usher. He loved his Adventures in Faith class and his weekly exercise group (and nacho night.) You would always find him on the front row ready to hear a great sermon each Sunday.
Everyone who knew Gene was better for it, because he was a man who made you smile. He never met a pun or popsicle he didn’t like! But most importantly, his attention and kindness made you feel like the most important person on Earth.
Service will take place Friday April 16, 2021 At 2:00 PM @ Roswell Funeral Home 950 Mansell Road Roswell, Georgia. For those who are unable to attend, please join us virtually on April 16 at 2pm at:
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