Charles Joseph McCarthy
Beacon Hill Resident
Charles Joseph McCarthy, a long-time church member, died on April 5 at the Brockton VA Medical Center. He was 84 years old.
Charlie was known to close friends as the “patriarch of Beacon Hill.” He moved into the River House, 145 Pinkney Street, in 1965, and is fondly remembered there by many residents.
Charlie loved the neighborhood events, particularly the Christmas Stroll along Charles Street. He rarely missed a gallery, restaurant, cafe, or shop opening, and happily held court in each setting.
Sunday after Sunday, for over 25 years, Charlie trudged up the brick Beacon Street sidewalk to the Church on the Hill. He typically arrived by 10 a.m. for coffee and conversation. By 10:50 a.m, he was in his seat near the back of the sanctuary. He stayed for lunch. Charlie served on several church committees through the years. With his good friend, Stanley Goldstein, Charlie did the Sunday dishes for a number of years. He and Stanley also ushered and greeted. We will remember his presence and his service.
Charlie was raised in the village of Waban in Newton. He was baptized and took First Communion in the Catholic Church. He went to elementary school at St. Bernard’s in Newton and began high school at St. Mary’s in Waltham. He graduated from St. Sebastian’s in Newton where he played football as a left-handed quarterback.
Charlie served in the Army Signal Corps and then went to Boston College where he graduated in 1964. He worked for Xerox, had a career in real estate, and later worked as an extra in the film industry. He was married in the 1970’s to Carol Paul, a school teacher. They later divorced.
Perhaps Charlie’s happiest days were spent in the summer in Harwich and Harwich Port on Cape Cod, often with his dear friend of long standing, Faith Rubin. He loved seafood, especially mussels and clams, particularly at the Snow Inn. Charlie enjoyed his fellowship with his numerous Cape friends.
In Boston, Charlie favored the No Name Restaurant and any Irish political reception he could find, including with Ted Kennedy and Tom O’Neill. He never missed the Boston Seafood Festival. He was a regular at Harvard Commencements. He knew more about the Harvard football team than most Harvard graduates.
No one knew all the facets of his life save Charlie. Beacon Hill and Cape Cod will keep his memory, if not in totality. His memorial service was held in our sanctuary on May 3 at 11 a.m. His ashes were be interred in Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne on May 8 at 1:45 p.m.
A woman known only as Daisy lived in the Back Bay for years. She owned a nice automobile and Charlie had a driver’s license. They could be seen, Charlie at the wheel, Daisy in the rear, predating the film. Add it up, it was a life, Charlie McCarthy’s. May he rest in peace.