Thomas James McCarthy

Thomas James McCarthy, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2018. He turned 86 on November 17. Tom was born in Chicago, Illinois to Mary Jane Cassidy and Justin McCarthy. He was raised in Beverly, on the South Side of Chicago, with his four siblings, Justin/ Major, Frances, and Jane Curran (all deceased), and Nan Vanden Bosch. Tom attended St. Ignatius (Chicago) and Canterbury School in New Milford, Connecticut. He also attended Georgetown University and DePaul University. Tom was drafted in the Army in 1955 and spent two years as a medic assistant in Korea. After returning to Chicago, he began a lifelong career in commercial property management. He traveled to California to take a race car driving course and fell in love with the state, making himself a promise to return. In 1971, Tom left Chicago and began a new career and life in San Francisco. In 1975, Tom met Cathy Keating and they were married in 1977. Three years later, Marisa was born, the joy of her father’s life.

Tom served as President of the Board of the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco and was on the Executive Board of the Amalgamated Transit Union. Tom had a wonderful sense of humor, and telling jokes was one of his greatest joys. He loved people and was kind to everyone. He enjoyed engaging all people he met in conversation, especially the homeless. Waiters, waitresses, and store clerks were his “friends.” No one was a stranger to Tom. He also loved cooking, art, art museums, and cars, especially Alpha Romeos.

He leaves his loving wife of 41 years, Cathy, his daughter Marisa (Josh), his sister Nan (Bob), many adored nieces and nephews, and relatives, and his dear friends, Karen Duffy and Jim Feichlt.

A Memorial Service will be held at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, on Bush and Steiner Streets in San Francisco on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 11am, with a reception to follow. Donations in Tom’s memory may be made to St. Anthony’s Foundation and The Alzheimer’s Association.