Robert J. Mccarthy

Middletown, RI - LCDR Robert J. McCarthy USN Ret, age 81 of 54 Warren Ave, Middletown, RI died Monday, January 12, 2009 at home. Born in Springfield, MA, son of Daniel J. and Catherine Harrington McCarthy. He leaves his wife, Mary P. Pat OConnor McCarthy.LCDR McCarthy was a veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He enlisted in the Navy upon graduation from Cathedral High School, Springfield, MA in 1945 and served on active duty for over 27 years, 15 years as an enlisted man where he attained the rank of Chief Signalman and was commissioned in 1960. He was awarded several medals, including the Bronze Star with a V device for valor for service as a Naval Advisor in Vietnam and the Navy Combat Action Ribbon. He retired from the Navy in 1972. LCDR McCarthy graduated from URI in 1974 with a BA in Secondary Education and from Salve Regina in 1978 with an MA in Human Development. He was employed by the state of Rhode Island as an Employment Interviewer for the Department of Employment Security and as a Training Supervisor for the Division of Personnel, retiring in 1987. He was a Life Member of the The D.A.V. and the Military Officers of America Association and a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, The Navy Memorial Fund and the Vietnam Memorial Fund. He was a communicant of St. Marys Catholic Church and was an usher there for over 25 years. In addition to his wife married 53 years, he is survived by three sons, Daniel J. McCarthy LTC, USA, retired, his wife, Norma Lowe McCarthy of Colorado Springs, CO, Thomas J. McCarthy of Newport, William J. McCarthy of Fall River, MA, a daughter, Karen J. McCarthy Hayes and her husband, Mark Hayes COL, USA, retired of Enterprise, AL, five grandchildren and one great grandchild. The funeral will be Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 8:00am from the Memorial Funeral Home, Newport, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00 am in St. Marys Church, Spring Street, Newport. Burial with military honors will be in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown.Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, January 14 from 4:00-7:00pm in the Memorial Funeral Home.Donations may be made in his memory to the Robert Potter League for Animals PO Box 412, Newport, RI 02840.