1934—2018 Much loved Joseph “Joe” Francis McCarthy passed away on June 5, 2018 in Napa, California at the age of 83 with his family by his side. Joe was born on October 4, 1934 in San Francisco; son to the late Claire (Clancy) and Joseph Raphael McCarthy. After graduating from Sacred Heart High School, Joe joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Vicenza, Italy, where he discovered his love of travel, culture, and adventure and reveled in his weekend trips to Harry’s Bar in Venice.
Joe graduated from City College of San Francisco and joined the San Francisco Police Department prior to finding his true calling, the San Francisco Fire Department. He retired as a Battalion Chief in 1993, yet stayed busy working at Maybelline, umpiring softball games, attending Cal football games, and enjoying time with his close-knit family. Joe met his beautiful wife Barbara in 1959 and never let her go.
They married in 1960 and had four successful children. Joe emphasized the importance of education and was extremely supportive and proud of his kids. He enjoyed cooking (which to him was throwing the week’s left-overs in a pot and calling it soup) and especially looked forward to Martini Night every Saturday after Mass with family.
His love of travel took him throughout the United States as well as the world. Joe had an innate ability to befriend all, had a great sense of humor, treated everyone like family, and was exceptionally generous. He was preceded in death by his sister Marie Dean, step-father John Arnold, brothers-in-law, Steve Geramoni, Ed Gulla, Emil Boitano and John Burton (Judy).
Joe is survived by his wife Barbara; his son Joseph Michael McCarthy (Kristi); daughters, Theresa Heim (James), Michelle Benvenuto, and Kristine Peck (Sam); brother, George McCarthy (Honey); sisters, Patti Geramoni, and twin Claire Linney (John); brothers-in-law, Al Dean, and Paul Burton (Klara), sisters-in-law, Yvonne Gulla, Mary Lou Sorensen (Pete), Florence Boitano, and Joan Rawlings (Gene); grandchildren, Audrey, Joe, Sean, Vinnie, Dan (Jen), and Angela (Brian); great-grandchildren, Jacob, Justin, John, Nora, and J.J.; close friend Bob Blackstone; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind greatly loved granddogs, Raider, Marti and Juno. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Kaiser Hospice Vallejo, especially Justine and Darrell.
Joe was a parishioner of St. Apollinaris Catholic Church at 3700 Lassen St. in Napa where the Rosary will be held on Sunday, June 10th at 7:00 pm and a Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, June 11th at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joe’s name to ARF—Pets and Vets c/o Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598. www.
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