Richard G. McCarthy

MASSENA – Mr. Richard G. McCarthy, 90, peacefully passed away Saturday morning, September 16, 2017 at his home. He had been in failing health.

Richard was born May 15, 1927 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the son of the late Harry John and Mary Elizabeth Gruber McCarthy. He was a 1944 graduate of Ogdensburg Free Academy and entered the US Navy after graduation. He proudly served his country during World War II and was honorably discharged on June 14, 1946. After his discharge, he returned back to Ogdensburg, where he started his nursing training at St. Lawrence State Hospital, graduating as a Registered Nurse. He continued his nursing training at Bellevue Hospital in New York City, where he met his future wife, Nancy Andrews. They married on September 14, 1951 in Brooklyn and moved to the North Country shortly thereafter, settling in Waddington. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1972.

Richard was an enterprising young boy, peddling papers in the Ogdensburg neighborhoods and was also a Pin Boy at the local bowling alley. After returning the North Country, he started his career as a Registered Nurse at Alcoa in 1954. He continued there until his retirement in 1984. When his family was younger, he enjoyed taking them on backpacking and hiking journeys on Mount Marcy. He was a former member of the Waddington Masonic Lodge and had a great passion for reading especially a good mystery novel. Richard cherished the time he was able to spend with his grandchildren and watching football, especially the Denver Broncos. He will fondly be remembered for his detailed memory and great sense of humor.

Richard is survived by four of his five children, Dianne Philips of Longmont, Colorado, Kathleen McCarthy and her husband, Dan Shimp of Denver, Colorado, Richard McCarthy, Jr. of Longmont, Colorado, and Mary Ashley of Massena; his grandchildren, Katherine Gader, Daniel Reynolds, Anthony Hannagan, Jessica, Christina, and Daniela McCarthy, and Andrew, Sam, and Samantha Ashley, and was awaiting the birth of his first great grandchild.

Also surviving him are his sisters, Wilma Nelson of Ogdensburg and Maureen (Terrance) Sarsfield of Watertown, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Debra Lynn McCarthy on October 6, 2012 and two brothers, Edward and George McCarthy of Ogdensburg.

Friends may call at the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena on Wednesday from 1-3:00 PM. There will be no funeral services. Burial will be held privately in Flackville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers those wishing may consider donations to the Massena Public Library.