Obituary of Thomas McCarthy

Thomas (Big Guy) McCarthy passed away peacefully at the age of 82.  He was graduate of Blodgett Vocational High School in 1959.  He participated in in all the major sports and received multiple awards but Football was his was his favorite.  Mac (as he was known in high school) was one of the top players for the 1958 City League High All-Star Football team.  He absolutely loved SU Football and Basketball and was a devout SU Fan.  His love of sports continued when he volunteered for many years as a Little League coach for the West End PBA, coaching both of his sons from Minor to Major leagues.

After returning from the US Marine Corps Tom started his career as a machine mechanic for Bristol Laboratories.  His expertise in mechanics elevated him to a Supervisory position setting up and maintaining equipment for large productions of non-penicillin medications.

After 20 years of service and Bristol moving from Syracuse, Tom changed direction and opened McCarthy’s Collision Service on Smoral Rd., in Camillus. Big Guy was an excellent body man & painter,  loved classic cars and followed NASCAR faithfully. After 10 years he left the family business to pursue a great opportunity for a pharmaceuticals company, Graham Laboratories in Hobart, NY from where he retired.

One of his favorite pastimes was to hang out on the front wheelchair ramp and chat with everyone who passed by, especially the dog walkers.  He loved Tipp Hill; someone crowned him the Mayor of Willis Ave.

Predeceased by his son, Thomas J. McCarthy.

He is survived by his wife of  62 years, Angela nee Fiermonte, children, Lisa McCarthy of Syracuse, Tim (Christee) McCarthy of Cornelius, North Carolina, two grandchildren, Salvatore and Santino McCarthy, daughter-in-law, Angela D’Amico and a niece and a nephew.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, January 6^th from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s & St. Brigid’s Church, 216 N. Lowell Ave., Syracuse, NY, followed by a funeral mass at the church and then burial at Assumption Cemetery, 2401 Court St., Syracuse, NY.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Clear Path for Veterans, 1223 Salt Springs Road, Chittenango, NY 13037, clearpath4vets.com.