Laurence James McCarthy, 89, of Bainbridge Island, WA died peacefully on September 6, 2023, at Fieldstone Bainbridge with his wife Cynthia by his side, following a 3 year battle with Stage 4 prostate cancer. Larry was born in Boston, MA to Theodore C. and Mary T. Moran McCarthy. He was the youngest of 4 children.
Larry attended Phillips Academy in Andover, MA graduating in ’52, followed by Yale University ’56, Georgetown School of Medicine ’58, and Harvard Medical School ’60 where he received his MD. He then attended the University of Minnesota where he received his MS in Pathology, as well as completing his residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at the Mayo Clinic ’65.
Larry and Cindy met at A.R. Gould Hospital in Presque Isle, ME in 1976 where he was Director of Pathology and Laboratory, and Cindy was Director of Social Services. They served on several hospital committees together, but never socialized over a cup of coffee or lunch until after Cindy returned from a vacation to Hawaii, where Larry had lived prior to working at A.R. Gould. They were married in Vassalboro, ME on August 26, 1978, and shortly thereafter left on an adventure of a lifetime to Hawaii.
Larry worked at Kuakini Medical Center in Honolulu, HI where he was an Associate Pathologist for 28 years. Following retirement Larry and Cindy moved to Bainbridge Island where they have lived for the past 17 years. Larry was a member of The American Legion Post 172, as he served in the US Public Health Service from 1965 to 1967 as inactive reserve.
Larry is survived by his wife Cindy of 45 years. He is also survived by his 5 children: son Ryan McCarthy of Lafayette, CO; son Patrick McCarthy and wife Joycelyn of Saipan, MP, granddaughters Trisha and Tanya of Saipan and step-grandson Gerald of Lakewood, WA; daughter Karen Simmons and husband Stu of Kailua, HI, granddaughter Shea of Kailua and grandson J. Brighton of San Mateo, CA; son Dr. Jeffrey McCarthy and wife Tracey of Bar Harbor, ME, granddaughters Danielle of Houlton, ME, Emily of Bath, ME, Olivia of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, grandsons Corey of Rockland, ME, Blake of Houlton, ME and Logan of Carmel, ME; son Laurence McCarthy, Jr. and wife Tracey of Honolulu, HI, and grandson Quinlan of Honolulu. He was blessed with 5 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Larry was predeceased by his parents Theodore C., who was a Purple Heart recipient in WWI, and Mary T McCarthy, brother Theodore C. McCarthy II, and sisters Eunice and Ruth McCarthy.
Larry enjoyed sailing, cruising to Alaska and other destinations, coin collecting, fantasy baseball and football, trips to the local casino, and watching movies and documentaries of World War II, especially Band of Brothers. Larry’s sense of humor including his one-liners will be an endearing memory for all who knew and loved him.
A private graveside service with military honors will be held at Maplewood Cemetery in Fairfield, ME at a later date. Donations can be made to Paws for Purple Hearts, Warriors Helping Warriors, PO Box 1209, Merrifield VA 22116-1209, the Kitsap Humane Society, 9167 Dickey Road NW, Silverdale, WA 98383, or a humane society of your choosing.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island, WA.