John J. McCarthy Jr., of Boston, and Indian Wells, Calif., died July 16.
Born in Brockton, he grew up in Milton and was a longtime resident of Wellesley. He was the son of the late John and Isabel McCarthy.
Mr. McCarthy was the chairman and owner of the Trans Lease Group, a major transportation company based in New England. The company was founded over 100 years ago by his grandfather, an Irish immigrant, who delivered ice and coal, by horse and wagon, to homes in the Brockton and Easton areas.
He attended Tabor Academy and was a 1954 graduate of Holy Cross College. He also served as a lieutenant in the Navy, working in naval intelligence.
Mr. McCarthy was an avid golfer throughout his life and was a member of several country clubs, including Brae Burn, Nantucket Golf Club, and Desert Horizons in Indian Wells, Calif.
A proud Boston Red Sox season-ticket holder for more than 50 years, one of his greatest pleasures was watching his beloved Sox, not only at Fenway and at home, but also on reruns on TV.
Part of his daily ritual was attacking the morning paper’s crossword puzzle, even before his first cup
of coffee.
A kind and compassionate man, he was a generous supporter of numerous charities in Massachusetts and California. His anonymous contributions enabled many deserving students to further their education. Mr. McCarthy’s family, friends and employees will miss his genuine kindness, loving generosity, the twinkle in his eye and his quick-witted sense of humor, which was always followed by a hearty laugh.
Mr. McCarthy is survived by his wife, Carol Gray McCarthy; his children, Mary Lynne McCarthy, of New York City, John J. McCarthy III and his wife, Maureen, of Cohasset, Christina McCarthy Kepple and her husband, Douglas, of New York City, and James McCarthy, of Boston; his stepson, Charles Gray, of Bermuda Dunes, Calif.; his grandchildren,
Isabel and Kate McCarthy; his former wife, Mary Morley McCarthy; his sister Ann Dederding and her husband, Helmut, of New York City; and his nieces, Lisa Weiss and Mary Adele Burke, both of Dedham, and their families.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated in
St. Elizabeth Church on July 20. Burial was in
Milton Cemetery.
Donations may be made to Massachusetts General Hospital, Attn: Development Office, 100 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 02114.
Arrangements were by the Dolan Funeral Home.