Charles R. McCarthy

Waltham – Mr. Charles R. McCarthy, Sr., of Waltham, died Monday, November 7, 2016 at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. He was 91.

Charlie was born in Waltham on April 11, 1925, a son the late Charles F. McCarthy and Margaret B. (Davidson) (McCarthy) Fallon, and had been a lifelong resident.

When Charlie was just a year and a half old his dear mother, Margaret, a native of Belfast, Northern Ireland was widowed. His father Charlie, a truck driver, was killed in a traffic accident and left behind not only his wife and his son but a family who would take care of them both.

Young Charlie learned the value of family and of loyalty at a young age. Margaret met and married another great guy, Robert Fallon some years later, who Charlie loved like his own father and whose extended family, the Chisholm's, became a part of the McCarthy clan.

He graduated early from Waltham High School in 1943 clearing the way for him to join the United States Navy where he served in the Pacific aboard the USS Baron, a Cannon-class destroyer escort. The ship and its company saw action during some of the most intense battles of World War II, notably during the invasions at Hollandia, Truk, Saipan and Guam.

By the time he'd turned twenty-one Charlie's faith and character had already been forged by an economic depression and a world war . . . so not much after that would intimidate him.

After he got out of the service he attended college on the GI Bill and earned his Bachelor's degree from Boston University. In 1950 he joined the family business, McCarthy's Package Store on Prospect Street, working alongside his uncles, Jerry and Jack. Charlie was never afraid to work long hours and on weekends and retired following a fifty-eight year run with the store.

The more important event that happened in 1950 was Charlie's marriage to his sweetheart, Waltham native Jeannette Aline Bourque. The couple were lifelong residents of the city and enjoyed sixty-three years together before Jeannette's death in 2013.

As a lifelong Democrat Charlie had an interest in politics but never in the public arena . . . he helped his uncle Jerry write speeches and gave wise counsel to his daughter, Jeannette, who would become the city's mayor.

All of the McCarthy children would have agreed with the late Jim Valvano, coach of the North Carolina State basketball team who famously said that "My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person . . . he believed in me."

In addition to his beloved wife awaiting him in heaven were his son, Charles R., Jr. and his wife, Cheryl, and his daughter, Kathleen B. McCarthy.

He leaves his daughter, the Honorable Jeannette Amanda McCarthy, Mayor of Waltham; his grandchildren, Anastacia Porter, Aimee Sueltenfuss and her husband, Patrick, and Charles D. McCarthy and his fiancée, Amanda Pretulac; his great-grandchildren, Aarika Batista, Isaiah Alvarado and Avery and Rylee Sueltenfuss; his brother, Edward D. Fallon; his in-laws, Eileen Cincotta, Marie and Joe Hancock, all of Waltham and Mary Ann Bourque of Bedford; dear family friends Everell Aipia and Mary Murphy and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Charlie's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Friday, November 11th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Mary's Church, 133 School Street, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to Saint Mary's Church, 133 School Street, Waltham, MA 02451 or to Sacred Heart Church, 311 River Street, Waltham, MA 02453.