Francis “Frank” J. McCarthy
Francis “Frank” J. McCarthy, 92, of Lynnfield, passed away on May2, 2019 at home. He was the beloved husband of Frances E. (Chisholm) McCarthy for 51 years.
Born in Dorchester on November 11, 1926, eight years to the day after the end of World War I, he was brought up and lived in the shadow of Meeting House Hill in Dorchester. Frank was a proud graduate of the Mather Elementary School and of Boston Latin School. After graduating from Boston Latin School, Frank served in the Army Air Force at the end of World War II. Upon returning home, he attended MIT, the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Tufts University Medical School.
After spending his first forty plus years living in Dorchester, he and his young family moved to Lynnfield, MA in 1970. Frank started his medical career as a general practitioner on the South Shore of Boston and then as a psychiatrist at the Melrose/Wakefield Hospital – for a time, he was chief of psychiatry at the hospital – and in his office in Wakefield, MA.
He was a world traveler, sometimes spending weeks away at a time, visiting places Americans did not necessarily visit in the 1950’s and 1960’s, including Egypt, Syria and Jordan, Post World War II Germany, Franco’s Spain, and Central and South America. After having his family, they continued to travel far and wide, including multiple trips to Europe and the Caribbean. His favorite place in the world was Paris, France, having visited about eight times.
In addition to traveling, he enjoyed taking his family to historical spots, going to museums, and eating at restaurants from greasy spoons to five star establishments. He also loved to ski, and he especially relished spending his summers at the family’s Rockport, MA cottages. Spending time with his family always put a smile on his face – he valued those times.
Frank was a lifelong learner, especially of languages. He put his family first instilling in them the ability to think critically and thoughtfully. He also impressed upon them a sense of adventure and wonder.
In addition to his dear wife, Frank is survived by his three cherished children, Eileen Cakouros and her husband, Jason, Edward J. McCarthy and his wife, Nicole, and Andrew J. McCarthy and his wife, Melissa; his five grandchildren, Anna Cakouros, Drew Cakouros, Maggie McCarthy, Fiona McCarthy, and Callum McCarthy; and many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-laws along with their children.
Visiting hours on Monday, May 6, 2019 from 4-8PM in the Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington Street, Lower Mills, Dorchester. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Mass of Catholic Burial on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 10:00am in St. Ann Parish, 243 Neponset Ave., Dorchester. Interment will be at Holyhood Cemetery, Brookline, MA.
Guestbook Entries
My deepest condolences on your loss.
Sincerely,
Steve Parmenter
Frank McArthy was a special person.
We had so many interactions with him that were remarkable.
When we visited Frank and Francis for the first time at their lovely Rockport retreat, we were in medical school and Frank offered us memorable advice for our future careers. You could say he was a primary influence on our Psychiatry and Radiology paths.
Later, when we lived in Boston for a year to do our fellowships, Frank was our tour guide to introduce us to his beloved Boston. Cruising down one-way streets (sometimes in the wrong direction) we got a view of Boston and Dorchester that we would never forget.
We had special insights into Boston’s history from Frank from the Revere Trail to the USS Constitution.
We had the fortunate opportunity to join Frank and his MIT classmates at a special Boston Pops night with John Williams. How can we forget Frank and the other alumni with their propeller hats on listening to the music of Star Wars?!
We were young and impressionable when we spent formative time with Frank and Francis. We had an introduction to a life of travel and language that inspired us.
But most of all, we remember Frank as a loving husband and father.
We will miss him
Dear Frances Eileen, Edward, Andrew, and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. As we remember our good times with the McCarthys, we pray that your own good memories help ease your sorrow. May God hold you all in the palm of His hand during this timeless time.
Dear Fran,
We were very sad to hear of Frank’s death ( via Gwen). Wish we were closer and could hug you, Fran. Have lots of great memories of all our times together and the wonderful history lessons Frank shared with us. If ever you come west, a bed is ready for you here.
Hugs. Maureen
Dear Frances, Eileen, Edward and Andrew,
I must say that I always enjoyed watching Uncle Frank with his family. The fact that he so adored you all was always in evidence. You must have great collections of family pictures because he always seemed to be snapping them.
Sister Jean brought me to Rockport as a young teen. Easy to see why he loved being there. A truly special place on the earth for sure. And he had seen many.
I do recall him working that evening as patients phoned him at home and he took their calls. I am sure that he helped many many others in his life. He certainly mentored our Terry and we are all so pleased to have her help in our extended family.
Thinking of all of you now. I know that you all carry on your father’s “Love of Family”. Come and see us if you are ever in Nova Scotia.
May the Memories of your dad always be close.
Betsy and Donnie Jardine
Dear Frances & Family,
Thank you so much for letting us know the sad news of Frank’s passing. We extend our deepest sympathy to all of you at this difficult time.
We will always remember stopping in to the cottage porch for summer chats, usually catching up on neighborhood news and we will miss seeing him doing all his yard work and, of course, painting the houses.
Our thoughts and hearts are with you.
Warmest Regards,
Pete & Sue
We’re sorry for your loss. John was a classmate at MIT and a long time friend.
Frances & Family, so sorry to read of the passing of Frank he was a wonderful man, you will all miss him dearly. Deepest Sympathy Catherine Steele
On Behalf of Olmstead Associates, we want to express our deepest sympathies for the family in this difficult time. We hope you gain a lot of strength from the love of family and friends and the memories of his extraordinary life.
Dear Frances,
Dear Eileen,
Dear McCarthy Family,
We are so sad reading about Frank. We all are feeling with you and you all are in our prayers!
We love you
Brigitte, Claus-Dieter and the whole family