Daniel J. McCarthy

MILLBURY-Daniel Joseph McCarthy, 81, passed away in the quiet of his Millbury home on Thursday, October 23.

Born and bred in Worcester MA, Dan was the son of the late Daniel and Florence McCarthy. Proud to call the Temple Street neighborhood of Worcester his home, Dan earned his famous nickname, "Deacon Dan" or "The Deac," due to his affinity for attending services at St. John's. With his nicknames following him, The Deac attended St. John's High School in Worcester, where he excelled in academics and athletics as a three-sport (football, basketball, baseball) varsity athlete. When he graduated in 1952, Dan had earned Worcester Telegram and Gazette honors eight times in twelve seasons, was eventually elected to the school's Hall of Fame as a fullback, and earned a college scholarship to Lafayette University in Pennsylvania where he continued his football and academic successes. As an athlete, the Deac was described by teammates, coaches and opponents as hard-nosed, determined and one of the fiercest competitors ever faced.


Leaving school to start a family, Dan returned to his beloved city, and rarely left Worcester for any length of time. Dan was predeceased by his wives Joanne and Roberta, and three children, daughter Colleen "Pixie" McCarthy in 1976, son Daniel "Beef" McCarthy in 1996, and son Daniel J. McCarthy in 2008. Dan leaves his two brothers Richard and Michael McCarthy, a sister Mary McCarthy Barnes, his children Eileen McDevitt, Maureen Bates, Kathleen, David, Dennis McCarthy, Deneen Tucker, Donald McCarthy, Tina Barnhill, Tracy Greene, Dawn Light, step-children Deborah Morgan, Kenneth Krals, Cindi Spencer, Brenda Pastor and many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.


Larger than life, Dan was an assertive presence in his family's lives, always ready with advice and free with his stories of the good old days, often with coffee mug in hand! Determined to care for those he could and to adopt the neighborhood stray cats, Dan was a social character, happiest in company and conversation with others, preferably while watching sports, especially if those sports were played by his children or grandchildren. Times shared with Deacon Dan McCarthy were memorable encounters not soon to be forgotten.


Calling hours are 5:00-7:00 pm on Sunday, October 26 at CALLAHAN~FAY & CASWELL FUNERAL HOME, 61 Myrtle Street, Worcester. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. John's Church on Temple Street in Worcester on Monday at 10:00. Please go directly to the church. Burial will follow at St. Brigid's Cemetery in Millbury.