Michael John Mccarthy

Born on 27th September, 1939 to Gerard and Eileen McCarthy, Michael endured the ravages of World War 2 in his birthplace, Birkenhead U.K. On graduating from the Liverpool Nautical College he joined the British Merchant Marine as a navigator and travelled extensively throughout the Far East and Australia.

A second career beckoned, on his marriage to Kathleen Mary McDonnell, in 1964 with whom he had three children Simon, Daniel and Melissa. He joined the multinational Unilever and dealt with large scale civil engineering projects in the UK and Middle East. Subsequently he developed markets and manufacturing in Saudi Arabia. Kuwait and Brazil, again travelling extensively. A third career beckoned and he and his wife began adventures in cooking, owning and operating two successful restaurants in North Wales.

There followed a 2 year sojourn, on a 32ft yacht called “La Gamba”, sailing around the British Isles. In 1990 he met and married Jeanne Johnson Hughes, the love of his long life and became step father to Shannon and Heather. He was heavily involved with overseas mission work in Panama and Haiti. The latter led him serve on the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina’s Mission Group and to a 9 year stint on the Executive Board of Haiti Fund of New Bern and its successful Haiti CODEP reforestation program. He retired from active volunteering in 2007 and spent his “retirement” happily grafting and propagating Japanese Maple trees.

Michael is survived by his dearest friend and wife Jeanne. His children Simon (Fatna), Dan and Melissa all of the UK. His step daughters Shannon (Chuck) Williams of Raleigh, Heather (Jack) Griswold of Harrisburg and his darling grandchildren Molly Williams, Megan Leah McCarthy, Mick Griswold, Zach Griswold and Jawhara McCarthy. He holds special affection for his sister Geraldine Vasper (George).

Michael wished to thank all who helped him along his way especially those involved in the later, and happiest, part of his life.

Memorials should be made to Haiti Fund Inc., PO Box 1075, New Bern, NC 28563; or HOSPICE of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.

A memorial service will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church, 525 Lake Concord Road, Concord, NC, 10am Wednesday, 31 May 2017. Reception to follow in the Parish Hall.