Ed McCarthy, 82, passed away peacefully Nov. 4, 2018.
Born Oct. 18, 1936, in New York City, he graduated from Xavier High School in 1954 and Villanova University in 1958. He served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany.
Ed married his high school sweetheart, Jane (nee Giddings), 57 years ago. They have six children, Kevin (Natalie Dunmire), Kathleen (Michael Hoffmann), Kristine (Jim McNicholas), Kerry (Cindy Mason), Kenneth (Karen Kausek) and Kara (Brian Passow). They also have 21 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Ed also is survived by his brother, James (Betty Ann), sister-in-law, Anne Murphy, and their children.
Ed’s work with Metropolitan Life Insurance took him from New York City via Allentown, Pa., to the Cleveland area, where the family settled and lived in Chardon for over 30 years.
Answering the call to ministry, Ed was ordained a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Cleveland in 1983 and served as Pastoral Minister at St. Mary’s Parish in Chardon.
Upon retirement to Naples, he served as Deacon at St. Agnes Church.
He spent his summer months as an associate in the Religion Department at Chautauqua Institution in upstate New York.
Ed had a significant impact on many lives as he presided over weddings, baptized many children and held the hands of many during joyous and sad occasions. He was truly a remarkable man who gave of himself to help others at all times.
He and his wife Jane have never met a stranger; theirs was an open, tolerant and loving faith, which Ed lived every day of his life. It took only one meeting to be drawn by his booming voice, gentle spirit and an oversized bear hug.
He never failed to be an amazing example of love, faith, fidelity and true happiness.
A celebration of his life and service to others will take place on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, at 11 a.m. at St Agnes Parish in Naples, Fla. Family will receive friends starting at 9:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Chautauqua Institution in his name.
Please go to www.caringbridge.org/visit/edmccarthy for the rest of his life’s story.