Major Joseph Lennard “Joe” McCarthy, 67, entered into his eternal rest Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center with his family by his side.
Joe was born July 28, 1950, in Fort Belvoir, Va., to John Francis McCarthy Jr. and Marie Louise Corteal McCarthy. As the son of a U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, he grew up in Alabama, New York, France and Fairfax, Va.
After graduating from W.T. Woodson High School in 1968, he went on to Appalachian State University and completed his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts Degree in 1972. While there, he met Becky, and they married Aug. 22, 1971. Joe and Becky then made their home in Wilmington, N.C.
While serving as a deputy sheriff for the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office from 1979 to 2009, Joe worked in many capacities including uniformed patrol, jail, civil process, court security, warrant squad, crime prevention, explorer post, and he was a firearms and law enforcement instructor. He was also a founding member of the Sheriff’s Rifle Team (later expanded and renamed the Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team), involved in the sheriff’s honor guard, the dive team and boat squad, and he lead the bomb squad.
Joe was an avid photographer and taught photography at Cape Fear Community College, a motorcyclist, mountain climber, spelunker, diver, cave diver, guitar player, song writer, enjoyed cross stitching and traveling, and after his retirement, he began a ministry called Joe’s Crosses, where he crafted and gifted over 400 crosses.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a dear brother, James Wilson McCarthy.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Rebecca Austin McCarthy; daughter, Kerry McCarthy Poinsett, and her husband, Gary Poinsett; grandchildren, Hannah Marie Wagster and Jesse Austin Wagster; and brothers, John F. McCarthy III and Jeffrey McCarthy, and his wife, Lisa.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 12, at Andrews Mortuary and Crematory on Market Street. A chapel service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 13, at the same location. If you received a cross from Joe, the family asks you to bring it with you to the Saturday service for a time of recognition of his ministry.
Becky and Kerry wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the healthcare professionals and friends who gave their support to Joe and his family while he was ill. For every meal, card, shopping trip, text, call, prayer and every minute you spent with him, thank you.
Share online condolences with the family at andrewsmortuary.com.
