Obituary for William M. McCarthy
William Martin McCarthy, 79, of Pikesville, MD, passed away on October 9, 2022. We take comfort in knowing that he is now reunited with his loved ones that have passed before, especially his beloved wife Elaine.
Bill was born on January 18, 1943 to Albert and Marie McCarthy in Brighton, MD. Bill was the youngest of seventeen children and loved his big family dearly. His love for family started here and never left. He developed a big personality and an even bigger heart. He took great joy in attending McCarthy family gatherings where he could laugh and tell stories. He is predeceased by Timmy, Lee, Sissy, Edward, Bucky, Annie, Patsy, Sammy, Skinny, Joan, Flossie, Russell, Katie, and Tucker. He leaves behind sisters Susie and Mazie as well as many nieces and nephews.
In 1964, Bill would tell you he was lucky enough to meet the great love of his life, Elaine. One of his favorite stories to tell was how he met Elaine when he prank called the psychiatric hospital that she worked at claiming that he was crazy because he had to live with sixteen brothers and sisters. Bill and Elaine were blessed to spend 56 years together. After marrying, they started a family and later purchased their longtime home on Hawthorne Avenue. They went on to have four children, Colleen (Edward Russell), Kelly (Peter Haag), Joan, and John (Robin Arnone). Bill loved nothing more than his family and friends and was a devoted family man. He spent many happy “Fast Food Fridays” in his home with his family eating pizza and conversing. His children will remember him for his unwavering support and unconditional love.
Bill is also survived by his eight grandchildren, Ryan, Meghan, Kayla, Erin, Kyle, Connor, Brennan and Maxwell as well as two great grandchildren, Avery and Ellie. His grandchildren remember him as their goofy, stubborn, loving Poppop who loved them more than anything in the world.
Very rarely do people come along that touch the lives of every person that they meet. Bill was known to many as a hero, mentor, father, brother, uncle, friend, coach, and more. He was known to all for his kindness and he would give freely to help those who needed it. He inspired all who knew him to try to be the best versions of themselves and make someone else’s day just a little bit better.
He was a hard worker that always showed up. Bill started his career as a plumber with Emjay Engineering and Construction in 1977 and worked there for 45 years. He loved his work and never retired because he truly enjoyed it. He spent many years mentoring all who would listen and deeply cared for and respected all those that he had the opportunity to work with.
He enjoyed fishing, spending days on his boats the Hot Pursuit and the Irish Viking, laughing with his friends and family, and following Baltimore sports. He was a sports aficionado and could tell you facts that most would think lost to history. He had particular interest for the Baltimore Orioles and the Baltimore Colts. Even when the Colts left Baltimore, he never stopped loving them. His sports hero was Ted Williams and he always thought that Ted had the greatest swing of all time. He was also passionate about Notre Dame football and was a proud Irishman. He saw himself as a fix-it man that often tinkered with things around the house. He also had great taste in music and could be heard listening to Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, and Elvis. Elvis held a special place in his heart and consider yourself lucky if you ever got to see his Elvis dance.
People have often said that they don’t make them like Bill anymore and all who knew him know that there is no truer statement. He was kind beyond measure, but also tougher than nails. He was the hardest working person in every room, but also the funniest. Words cannot do justice to express the sadness that we feel at the loss of our hero, but we take solace in knowing that he is reunited with his beloved wife, mother, father, siblings, and friends that went before him.
Visitation will be held at Eline Funeral Home in Reisterstown, MD on Saturday, October 15th between 11:00-2:00 with service at 12:30. Immediately following the service, a celebration of life/ party will be held at Bill’s home in Pikesville, MD.
In the spirit of Dad’s love of giving to others, please consider donating to a charity in his name.
Causes near and dear to his heart were: helping needy families (especially children during the holidays), cancer research and treatment, and substance abuse and addiction treatment.
Bill was born on January 18, 1943 to Albert and Marie McCarthy in Brighton, MD. Bill was the youngest of seventeen children and loved his big family dearly. His love for family started here and never left. He developed a big personality and an even bigger heart. He took great joy in attending McCarthy family gatherings where he could laugh and tell stories. He is predeceased by Timmy, Lee, Sissy, Edward, Bucky, Annie, Patsy, Sammy, Skinny, Joan, Flossie, Russell, Katie, and Tucker. He leaves behind sisters Susie and Mazie as well as many nieces and nephews.
In 1964, Bill would tell you he was lucky enough to meet the great love of his life, Elaine. One of his favorite stories to tell was how he met Elaine when he prank called the psychiatric hospital that she worked at claiming that he was crazy because he had to live with sixteen brothers and sisters. Bill and Elaine were blessed to spend 56 years together. After marrying, they started a family and later purchased their longtime home on Hawthorne Avenue. They went on to have four children, Colleen (Edward Russell), Kelly (Peter Haag), Joan, and John (Robin Arnone). Bill loved nothing more than his family and friends and was a devoted family man. He spent many happy “Fast Food Fridays” in his home with his family eating pizza and conversing. His children will remember him for his unwavering support and unconditional love.
Bill is also survived by his eight grandchildren, Ryan, Meghan, Kayla, Erin, Kyle, Connor, Brennan and Maxwell as well as two great grandchildren, Avery and Ellie. His grandchildren remember him as their goofy, stubborn, loving Poppop who loved them more than anything in the world.
Very rarely do people come along that touch the lives of every person that they meet. Bill was known to many as a hero, mentor, father, brother, uncle, friend, coach, and more. He was known to all for his kindness and he would give freely to help those who needed it. He inspired all who knew him to try to be the best versions of themselves and make someone else’s day just a little bit better.
He was a hard worker that always showed up. Bill started his career as a plumber with Emjay Engineering and Construction in 1977 and worked there for 45 years. He loved his work and never retired because he truly enjoyed it. He spent many years mentoring all who would listen and deeply cared for and respected all those that he had the opportunity to work with.
He enjoyed fishing, spending days on his boats the Hot Pursuit and the Irish Viking, laughing with his friends and family, and following Baltimore sports. He was a sports aficionado and could tell you facts that most would think lost to history. He had particular interest for the Baltimore Orioles and the Baltimore Colts. Even when the Colts left Baltimore, he never stopped loving them. His sports hero was Ted Williams and he always thought that Ted had the greatest swing of all time. He was also passionate about Notre Dame football and was a proud Irishman. He saw himself as a fix-it man that often tinkered with things around the house. He also had great taste in music and could be heard listening to Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, and Elvis. Elvis held a special place in his heart and consider yourself lucky if you ever got to see his Elvis dance.
People have often said that they don’t make them like Bill anymore and all who knew him know that there is no truer statement. He was kind beyond measure, but also tougher than nails. He was the hardest working person in every room, but also the funniest. Words cannot do justice to express the sadness that we feel at the loss of our hero, but we take solace in knowing that he is reunited with his beloved wife, mother, father, siblings, and friends that went before him.
Visitation will be held at Eline Funeral Home in Reisterstown, MD on Saturday, October 15th between 11:00-2:00 with service at 12:30. Immediately following the service, a celebration of life/ party will be held at Bill’s home in Pikesville, MD.
In the spirit of Dad’s love of giving to others, please consider donating to a charity in his name.
Causes near and dear to his heart were: helping needy families (especially children during the holidays), cancer research and treatment, and substance abuse and addiction treatment.