Patrick J. McCarthy

Brigadier General (Ret.) Patrick James McCarthy, 90, of Pompton Plains, NJ (formerly of Paramus) was called home by the Lord, Thursday, September 5, 2019. He passed peacefully after a brief illness at his home in Cedar Crest Village.
 
General McCarthy was born in Ridgewood, NJ to William and Stella (nee Kelly) McCarthy on July 19, 1929 and attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Elementary School and Ridgewood High School. While employed with Curtiss Wright, General McCarthy enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1947 and spent 5 years in the enlisted ranks and on active duty. He met his bride-to-be, Maria (Marie) Bruno, at Bendix Corporation and they married October 14, 1951. He was a non-commissioned officer when he was awarded a direct commission during the Korean War to the grade of 2nd Lieutenant.  He rose through the ranks and was promoted to Brigadier General in 1983, thus holding the rare distinction of being a “Mustang”.  A Mustang is someone who rises through the ranks from the enlisted corps, without a college degree, through time-in-grade and in-service schooling. He retired in 1989 after nearly 42 years of service to his country which included active duty, full time Army National Guard and the US Army Reserve.
 
He graduated from the U.S. Army Engineer School, Armor School, Command and General Staff College, Armed Forces Staff College, Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the National Defense University. His military awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, various Army and State of New Jersey Medals and service ribbons.
 
He was an active member of the National Guard Association of New Jersey and the Society of American Military Engineers, serving as a Post President, Regional Vice President. One of his greatest honors was being named a Fellow of that prestigious National Society. As an advocate for the rank and file soldier, he was a strong supporter of the Non-Commissioned Officers Association of New Jersey.
His post-military civilian life included a position with Teledyne-Laars, consulting for Foster Wheeler, and forming his own consulting business, `Executive Conversations'. He also enjoyed many activities and service in his retirement community of Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains.
 
General McCarthy is preceded in death by his beloved wife Marie, his parents William and Stella, and brothers William and Richard. He is survived by his five children; Patricia Brady, Kathleen Levesque, Patrick James II, Maria Doerr and Jacqueline Micera, his sons-in-law; Mark Brady, Daniel Levesque, Kevin Doerr and Robert Micera, and his grandchildren, Sasha Levesque, Michael Brady, Kristen Williams and her husband Zack, and Michael Doerr, along with Carolyn Hill-Jones, his dear companion and friend of 11 years.
 
A wake will be held at Feeney Funeral Home in Ridgewood, NJ (201-444-7650) Monday, September 9, 2019, 4:OOpm-8:OOpm and a funeral Mass held Tuesday, September 10, 2019, 10:30 am at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Ridgewood, NJ.

The family wishes to extend their sincerest thanks to the community and staff of Cedar Crest Village and Mountain View Gardens for their loving care of "The General".

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Cedar Crest Village Benevolent Care Fund, c/o Laura Frankel, Philanthropy Office, One Cedar Crest Dr, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444 or the "Welcome Home Initiative", 1340 Great Neck Rd, #1272-137, Virginia Beach, VA 23454-2268, an organization assisting in the healing of returning war-zone veterans.