Robert J. Bob " Mac" McCarthy Obituary

Robert McCarthy, 91, of Fanwood, NJ, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. 

  Robert (Bob aka “Mac”) was born on September 23, 1930, in Plainfield, New Jersey. Son of the late Marjorie and John McCarthy. Bob, “Mac” graduated from North Plainfield High School in 1942. Later, he went on to study at Rutgers University, where he attended several years of college. Soon after, Bob enlisted in the US Navy, proudly serving our country during the Korean War (1951-1954) on the USS Shannon. After leaving the military, Bob went on to work for Bell Labs and then NJ Bell, where he led a successful career in marketing for almost 40 years before his retirement.

 “Mac,” as many friends & families referred to him, was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. After serving in the military, he met his beautiful soulmate, June Hart, and soon after, they married on 10/20/1956. In October of 2021, St Bartholomew’s Church honored June and Bob with a celebratory mass on the same altar where they were married 65 years earlier. Bob was an amazing husband, father & grandfather who loved spending time with his wife, sons, daughter in law and grandchildren. Throughout the years, family time consisted of Birthday & Holiday celebrations, Enjoying a glass (or two) of Red wine, skiing, camping, boating, fishing, basketball, traveling, and body surfing the waves every summer from their family beach home in Manasquan NJ. Bob & June were avid golfers and league members of the Scotch Hills Golf club. They enjoyed years of golf outings with family and friends. With their close friends, they had the great pleasure of traveling to Ireland and Scotland for several weeks of amazing golf experiences. Bob truly believed and often said, “The most important aspect of life was love, laughter, and friendship…”and lived his amazing life with that motto at the forefront.

 Bob was truly an inspiration to his family, friends, and the town of Fanwood. He was a resident of Fanwood for 65 years, and during his lifetime, he held many positions in town. He served on the town council for many years, longtime member & president of the Fanwood Lions Club, Fanwood Jaycees, Boy Scout Troop 111, Manasquan Elks, and countless other volunteer organizations. Wherever Bob was needed, you can rest assured he would be there!

 Bob & June were proudly named as “Mr & Mrs. Fanwood” in 2006, where they were honored & recognized during the town’s annual “Fanny Wood Day” celebration. Bob was also extremely proud of his Irish heritage and considered St Patrick’s Day more important than his birthday. He sometimes stated, “I bleed Green” and could be found almost every year on a float in the Scotch Plains-Fanwood St Patrick’s day parade.

 Bob was a devout Catholic and was a long-time member of St. Bartholomew Church in Scotch Plains; he served as an usher, Eucharistic minister, and active member of the Holy Name Society for many years. Bob knew everyone, and everyone knew him. He was a kind and gentle man who was loved and respected by his community, friends, and family. Bob will be greatly missed by all who had the great pleasure of knowing him.

 Bob is predeceased by his parents, Marjorie Vanderbeek and John McCarthy, and his two siblings, Joan Williamson of Point Pleasant NJ and Richard McCarthy of Fairfax VA. Bob leaves behind his wife of 65 years, June McCarthy, sons Robert McCarthy Jr., James McCarthy & his wife Michelle McCarthy, and his cherished grandchildren, Megan McCarthy and Jimmy McCarthy.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Rossi Funeral Home, located at 1937 Westfield Ave., Scotch Plains, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, March 3, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Bartholomew Church, 2032 Westfield Ave in Scotch Plains, NJ. Following the mass, Bob will be laid to rest at Hillside Cemetery, 1401 Woodland Ave., Scotch Plains, NJ. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Bartholomew Church or Scotch Plains-Fanwood VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars).

 A Live Stream of the Mass will be available for those who cannot attend and will begin on Thursday morning March 3,2022 at 10:55 am .  www.stbartholomewchurch.org/livestream-mass