John McCarthy

John A. McCarthy passed away peacefully on July 29, 2018 at Mayo Clinic with his family at his side.  He was born Feb 9, 1925 in Atlantic City, NJ, and grew up in Lancaster, PA.  He enlisted in the Navy while a senior in high school following the attack on Pearl Harbor, and served in the Pacific for three years during WWII.  He hoped to pursue a professional baseball career after the war, but an arm injury ended his pitching dreams.  He journeyed to Miami in 1947, and graduated from the University of Miami in 1952.

John married the lovely Nancy Daniel in 1953.  They thrived in marriage for 65 years.  He leaves behind his wife Nancy and their four children: Rebecca (David) Andrews of Cary, NC; Dan (Cindy) McCarthy from Tallahassee; John (Toni Jean) McCarthy from Ponte Vedra Beach; and Kathleen (John) Furness from Ponte Vedra Beach.  John’s family also includes 13 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; sister-in-law Edith McCarthy; niece Susan (Dee) Strickland; and nephew Tim McCarthy.  John was preceded in death by his mother, Helen McCarthy; and brother, Eugene McCarthy, Jr.

John had a very successful teaching and coaching career at high schools in Miami, leading teams to 6A state championships in football and golf.  He and Nancy moved from Miami to Ponte Vedra in 1996, and became active members of Palms Presbyterian Church.

John’s priority was his family.  John, or “G-Dad” as he was affectionately known, spent his adult life leading and caring for this family.  He traveled anywhere his children were to support and assist them, in the US and abroad.  He created fun and adventure for his grandkids, taking them on countless motor home trips. He was the Patriarch in every sense of the word, and his family was his treasure.  He will always be loved and remembered by this devoted family.

A celebration of his life and interment will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 18, 2018 at Palms Presbyterian Church, 3410 3rd Street South, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Vicars Landing Members Trust, Scholarship Fund, 1000 Vicars Landing Way, Ponte Vedra, FL 32082.