John T. "Jack" McCarthy

HOLYOKE- John T. McCarthy,84, of Holyoke, passed away peacefully at the Holyoke Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family, on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. Jack was the son of the late John and Bertha “Sheehan” McCarthy and the son-in-law of the late John and Janet Kovenia. He was predeceased by his sisters Shirley and her husband John O’Neill, Kathleen and her husband Thomas Hogan, Margaret and her husband Joseph Kapinos and Florence McCarthy. Jack was a 33-year retired Holyoke Firefighter, during his career he won numerous awards, including the departments highest honor The Walter Scott Award. Jack was the long- time Chairman of the Holyoke Retirement Board, Board of Directors. Elected to oversee and protect the pension interest of over 2000 members of the Holyoke system. Jack was a former employee and volunteer at Brightside for Families and Children. An avid golfer and a veteran of many area Four Balls, he was a longtime member of Wyckoff CC and Holyoke CC, Where he was best known for his extended stays on the nineteenth hole with his pal RJG and AD. Jack was a lifetime member and former trustee of the Holyoke Lodge of Elks 902. Jack was a board member of the section 19 Public Employees Insurance Committee. Jack was the former treasurer of the Mater Dolorosa Holy Name Society. Jack was a longtime officer of the Holyoke Firefighters Aid Committee. Jack was a member of the DP Supper Club. For the past five decades he served as Master of Ceremonies at numerous joyous functions. Jack loved politics, with his biggest joy coming when his godson Michael F Kane was elected to the Massachusetts General Court in 2000, following that, his own election to the Holyoke Retirement Board. Jack spent his entire life in Holyoke, where he was educated at Blessed Sacrament and graduated from Scared Heart High School in 1959 where he excelled in Football and Baseball. He was a United States Air Force Veteran, serving with the 104th Air National Guard at Barnes Airport and was activated and served with the 104th in Phalsbourg France during the Berlin crisis. Jack leaves his wife Ruthie A “Kovenia” McCarthy, who he met in his sophomore year in HS and were married for 63 years. He also leaves his son, John F. McCarthy of Holyoke, a daughter Susie M. along with her husband Rob Desormier of Granby, MA. Jack leaves his grandchildren Charlotte Maxwell, John “Bub” McCarthy, Kate Desormier and Joe Desormier. He also leaves his great-grandchildren Charlie, Cooper, Jack and Ryleigh Sue, his cousin/brother Francis M. Kane and his wife Joyce of Holyoke and many nieces, nephews and friends who loved him. Our family would like to thank the entire staff at the Holyoke Medical Center for their excellent care to Jack over the last 8 months. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial for Jack on Thursday, September 12th at 10:30 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton Street, Holyoke. Burial will follow at Mater Dolorosa Cemetery in South Hadley. There are no calling hours. Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jack and Florence McCarthy scholarship fund at the Blessed Sacrament School, 21 Westfield Road, Holyoke MA 01040.

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