Gary T. McCarthy, 75, of Missouri City, Texas, formerly a longtime Lincroft resident, passed away peacefully Feb. 26, 2022 in Sugar Land, Texas with his children nearby his side. Gary was born in Newark to Thomas and Helen (Ilkewicz) McCarthy.
Gary received a degree in aeronautical engineering from the Academy of Aeronautics as well as from the New York Institute of Technology. Following in his father’s footsteps, Gary had a passion for understanding how things “worked” and naturally nothing was more exciting to Gary than advanced sciences around aviation and space exploration. Knowing that art and science mix well, Gary also obtained his MBA from Farleigh Dickinson University in New York, to ensure that his mathematical and scientific skills could be practically applied to a variety of businesses in multiple industries.
After decades of traveling across the country for work, he opted to redirect his focus in his career and was soon employed as an engineer with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, retiring in 2012 after nearly 15 years of service. During that time, Gary turned his focus to protecting the environment and the planet so that future generations could enjoy the wonders of the world as he had experienced them. In this role Gary was tasked with making sure companies trying to do business in New Jersey were adhering to strict scientific guidelines he and others designed.
Gary was, at the same time, strong and proud yet deeply emotional and loving with his family. He loved working on his 1972 Ford Mach 1 Mustang, spending days at Avon Beach swimming in the waves, and relaxing with some Frank Sinatra, an old fashion movie like “Casablanca” or, his favorite of all, spending time or talking with his grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents and, in 2001, by his beloved wife of 31 years, Maribeth (McCabe) McCarthy. Through it all, Gary was there to support any and all who needed it during those turbulent years. He was both father and mother to his kids and became the bedrock on which he rebuilt his family’s future.
Gary is survived by his loving children, Shannon McCarthy of Missouri City, Texas, and Sean and his wife Hollie of Red Bank, as well as his grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Nicole, Walker and Tatum. Nothing brought a smile to his face like engaging with his grandkids and the feeling was shared by all.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. March 11 at the John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Ave., Red Bank. A funeral home service will be offered at 10 a.m. March 12 with burial following at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Gary’s memory to the American Cancer Society at cancer.org/involved/donate.
The article originally appeared in the March 10 – 16, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
