Roger E. Mccarthy

Roger E. McCarthy passed away on April 4, 2018.

Roger was born September 25, 1923 at Tompkins County Hospital. Son of Frank and Margaret McCarthy, he grew up in Ithaca and attended Immaculate Conception elementary school and then Ithaca High School from which he graduated in June 1940. He enlisted in the US Naval Corp and served from 1943 - 1946. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy, Roger returned to Ithaca. Shortly thereafter, he met Martha Ellen Honness and they were married on Dec 26th 1947. The couple moved to Boston, Mass. the following year where Roger attended Bentley College from 1947-1949. He studied accounting and business administration and graduated in the spring of 1949.

After graduating from Bentley, Roger and Martha returned to Ithaca where they built a home and started a family. Roger was employed and kept impeccable accounting records for many town businesses including G.L.F. (later to become Agway) and Cornell University where he was comptroller of the Cornell University Press for many years.

Roger loved all sports, especially Notre Dame football. He treasured spending time with his family & friends and being involved with the Immaculate Conception Church, its members and activities. His Irish feistiness and good humor enlivened many family reunions, marriages, summer BBQs and holidays. His kindness, dedication to family and friends and respect for others was his creed. His mantra was "do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

He retired from Cornell University in September of 1982 and spent 14 great years in retirement with Martha before she was stricken with Alzheimers disease in 1996. For the next 7 year period Roger provided 24/7 care and support for Martha in her battle with this devastating disease. His beloved wife of 52 years died in 2003.

Roger was a good son, brother, soldier, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Roger was also predeceased by his brother Francis, sisters Barbara (Brock) and Margaret (Seacord) and daughter-in-law Frances Erlichson. He is survived by his two sons, Timothy F. McCarthy (Simbury CT), Thomas E. McCarthy (Ellie Biddle) (Ithaca NY) Tims' children Sam and Rachel and Toms' children Liam and Flynn McCarthy and many nephews and nieces.

There are no calling hours. It was Rogers' wish to have a Memorial Mass. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Augustine Chumo at the Immaculate Conception Church on Monday. May 07, 2018 at 10:30 am. Interment in the Calvary Cemetery will be private. www.bangsfuneralhome.com

Monday, May 07, 2018 10:30 AM

Immaculate Conception Church 113 N. Geneva St. Ithaca, NY 14850