Celebrating Patrick McCarthy's Life
Donation protected
We weren't going to ask but so many gracious people have called us wondering where we would like a donation in our dad's name to go. With some thought, we believe he would appreciate the money to go towards our parish, Saint Thomas in Underhill, Vermont. He always loved helping out at pancake breakfasts, and spending time with the church community. Whatever you are able to give is appreciated. Thank you for helping us honor are father.
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The below was written and shared by our brother, Frank, at his funeral. We're including it here to share with all of you too, as it was a family only ceremony due to the current times:
Our dad was a husband, a father, a brother, a son, a soldier, & a friend. That’s a lot of different hats for one man to bear; however, dad managed to excel at each & every one of them because he was able to identify their common thread – being a good man.
Our dad dedicated his life to the service of others. He always placed his own needs second to that of those around him & he never expected nor desired recognition for his sacrifices. He did what he did because the act of improving someone else’s life is what fueled him every day. Whether it was waking up early, after big snowstorms, to shovel the driveway & clean off the cars just so we could sleep in & stay warm or cleaning his table after eating at a restaurant to make life easier for the server, our dad’s entire life was driven by a single question – How do I leave this better than I found it?
It’s easy to become sad & angry at the fact that our dad was taken from us too soon. However, the tough reality of life is that we do not get to choose how much time we get but, we do get to choose how we spend the time we are given. And although the quantity of his years was less than we would have hoped, the quality of his years were unparalleled. Our dad grew up in an amazing home with his brother & sisters, Mary Anne, Jean, & Dan, he served his country honorably for 20 years, he married the woman of his dreams, he raised four beautiful kids in a home full of laughter and love, he earned two bachelor degrees & countless other educational certificates, he was an avid outdoorsman, he was a writer, a carpenter, a cook, a baker, a linguist, a gardener, a mechanic – a true “jack of all trades”. Our dad loved to learn, & he strived to go to bed every night smarter than from when he woke up.
Most importantly, our dad did not have any regrets. He lived his life to the fullest & he did his duty - to his family, his country, & his community. Our dad can rest comfortably knowing that he successfully completed his mission & that his family’s future is secure.
Remember that our dad was more than just flesh & blood, and that in order to call his spirit & feel his presence, all you need to do is leave something better than you found it.
Thank you & God bless.
********************
The below was written and shared by our brother, Frank, at his funeral. We're including it here to share with all of you too, as it was a family only ceremony due to the current times:
Our dad was a husband, a father, a brother, a son, a soldier, & a friend. That’s a lot of different hats for one man to bear; however, dad managed to excel at each & every one of them because he was able to identify their common thread – being a good man.
Our dad dedicated his life to the service of others. He always placed his own needs second to that of those around him & he never expected nor desired recognition for his sacrifices. He did what he did because the act of improving someone else’s life is what fueled him every day. Whether it was waking up early, after big snowstorms, to shovel the driveway & clean off the cars just so we could sleep in & stay warm or cleaning his table after eating at a restaurant to make life easier for the server, our dad’s entire life was driven by a single question – How do I leave this better than I found it?
It’s easy to become sad & angry at the fact that our dad was taken from us too soon. However, the tough reality of life is that we do not get to choose how much time we get but, we do get to choose how we spend the time we are given. And although the quantity of his years was less than we would have hoped, the quality of his years were unparalleled. Our dad grew up in an amazing home with his brother & sisters, Mary Anne, Jean, & Dan, he served his country honorably for 20 years, he married the woman of his dreams, he raised four beautiful kids in a home full of laughter and love, he earned two bachelor degrees & countless other educational certificates, he was an avid outdoorsman, he was a writer, a carpenter, a cook, a baker, a linguist, a gardener, a mechanic – a true “jack of all trades”. Our dad loved to learn, & he strived to go to bed every night smarter than from when he woke up.
Most importantly, our dad did not have any regrets. He lived his life to the fullest & he did his duty - to his family, his country, & his community. Our dad can rest comfortably knowing that he successfully completed his mission & that his family’s future is secure.
Remember that our dad was more than just flesh & blood, and that in order to call his spirit & feel his presence, all you need to do is leave something better than you found it.
Thank you & God bless.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jenna McCarthy
Organizer
Jericho, VT
Yongsuk McCarthy
Beneficiary