Obituary of Patrick McCarthy

Patrick J. McCarthy, 76, of Poughkeepsie, passed away at Vassar Brothers Medical Center on December 12 after a brief illness. Pat was a first-generation American, born and raised in the Bronx, the son of the late Patrick and Carmel, both from Ireland. In 1952 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 19. After completing basic training he was assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal. Pat was discharged honorably in 1956, having attained the rank of Sergeant. Throughout his life he remained tremendously proud of his Marine Corps service. Pat had a successful 31-year career as a programmer at IBM in Poughkeepsie, from which he retired in 1990. He was an enthusiastic and skilled golfer, one of the few who could claim two holes in one. In addition to his love of golf, he was a lifelong New York Giants fan, staunch Libertarian, and was a long time member of the congregation of St. Martin de Porres Church. Pat is survived by his wife Elizabeth ("Betty") Gorman, whom he married in 1960. He is also survived by his daughter, Ellen Hunter, and her husband Gary of Hyde Park, daughter Ann McCarthy of Albany, and son Patrick McCarthy of Poughkeepsie. He was predeceased by his youngest daughter, Mary McCarthy, in 2007. Pat was the proud grandfather of Christine Hunter and Sean McCarthy. He is also survived by his brother, Denis McCarthy and his wife, Sheila, of New York City. He was a kind and loving man and will be greatly missed. Calling hours will be on Tuesday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Thomas P. Doyle Funeral Home, 371 Hooker Avenue in Poughkeepsie. Interment at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery will follow a memorial service at the funeral home on Wednesday morning at 10:00 am.