Joseph Albert McCarthy

A Funeral Mass for Joseph Albert McCarthy, age 78, of Morris Street, Ogdensburg will be held on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at 10:00AM at Notre Dame Church with Rev. F. James Shurtleff officiating. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, from 2:00PM to 4:00PM and 6:00PM to 8:00PM at Frary Funeral Home, Ogdensburg. Mr. McCarthy passed away on Monday morning, October 16, 2023, at Claxton Hepburn Medical Center.

Joseph is survived by; three sons, Scott and his wife, Jeanne, Daniel and his wife, Autumn, and Michael and his wife, Nicole; one daughter, Kelly O'Hickey and her husband, Ciaran, of Rathcoole, Ireland; his sisters, Mary Jane Lyons of California, Joanne Francher of Camillus, NY, and Nancy Gipson of California; fifteen grandchildren, Morgan, Caitlyn, Conor, Sinead, Liam, Brandon, Michael, Rori, Rowen, Aine, Aisling, Cael, Maddie, Kyra and Isabella and nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 43 years, Elaine in 2014, his parents, Daniel and Ruth McCarthy and a sister, Maureen M. McCarthy.

Joseph was born on September 21, 1945, in Rome, NY, the son of the late Daniel B. and Ruth M. (Finnegan) McCarthy. He graduated from St. Mary's Academy in 1963 and later from St. Bonaventure University in 1967. Mr. McCarthy later entered the United States Army in 1967 where he proudly volunteered to serve during the Vietnam War, where he received a several commendations for heroism on the battlefield to include: The Silver Star, The Bronze Star for Valor, The Army Commendation Medal for Valor, and the Purple Heart. He served with the 9Th Infantry Division. Joseph was honorably discharged in 1969 as a 1st Lieutenant. Joseph married Elaine M. Premo on July 10, 1971, at Notre Dame Church with Rev. Msgr. Robert McCarthy officiating. She predeceased him on March 12, 2014. Joseph was first employed as a Superintendent for Algonquin Construction Company, later working for the Augsbury Corporation from 1973 until 1990 serving as Vice President and retiring from Griffith Oil as the North Country Marketing Manager. Joseph also worked for a brief period of time for Edward Kanab.

Joseph spent many hours hunting ducks and geese with his friends and family. He was a founding member of the Ducks Unlimited Chapter of the North Country. He loved fishing with his boys, whether it was on the Saint Lawrence River for Northern Pike or Lake Ontario for King Salmon. He also enjoyed making the drive to the casino to play the slot machines, where he usually had very good luck. Joseph loved Labrador retrievers and spent many years training hunting dogs. Cali is the last Black lab that he owned and has been a loyal and true friend to him for the past 9 years.

Joe was a deeply caring man that considered every stranger he came across, "as just a friend you haven't met yet." He cherished his family and lived his life for those that he loved. Joseph was a good friend, a caring father, a faithful husband who lived his life every day by a simple creed. "Faith, Flag and Family."

Donations may be made in Joseph's memory to Saint Jude's Childrens Research Hospital, by mail to ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html .

Online condolences may be made at www.fraryfuneralhome.com.