Thomas George McCarthy

Lake Hopatcong: Thomas G. McCarthy passed away on January 15, 2023 in his home in Lake Hopatcong, NJ after a long illness.

Tom was born in Newark, New Jersey on June 25, 1932, the first of 3 brothers, Raymond and Michael. In the early 1930, the family moved to Livingston, New Jersey.  Tom graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in 1950. During this time, Tom was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. He was also a member of the Livingston Junior Rifle Club where he competed in many National Rifle Association’s marksmanship competitions regularly winning or finishing highly in several competitions.  He continued to compete as an adult maintaining his expert level of marksmanship proficiency.

In 1955, Tom joined the Livingston Township Fire Department, serving for 14 years. In 1956, Tom was drafted into the United States Army, where served as a draftsman.  He also competed his marksmanship competitions on Army marksmanship teams winning and placing highly in several marksmanship competitions across the country until his discharge in 1958.   After his Army service, Tom held different jobs as a draftsman and was recognized for his ability and skill at this occupation. During a draftsman job at Chatham Electronics, he met Arline Goessling, of Mine Hill, New Jersey.  They were married on February 25, 1962 in Dover, New Jersey and settled in Livingston. Tom continued working as a draftsman. Tom and Arline adopted 2 children during this time, Jeffrey in 1965 and Jill in 1967.  

In 1966, Tom began working at Picatinny Arsenal, the start of a long career as a government employee.  Tom also continued his education, eventually earning both a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Masters Degree from Montclair State, all while working, raising a family and serving as a volunteer fireman. 

In 1969, Tom and family relocated to Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey.  Continuing his service to his new community, Tom quickly joined the Jefferson Township Fire Company #2 and the Jefferson Township Rescue Squad, eventually serving as Captain of Rescue Squad in 1973 and 1974 and as Chief of Jefferson Township Fire Company #2 in 1984.  He remained serving the rescue squad as Financial Secretary for many years and was a life member of both organizations.  He served as president of the Jefferson Township Local Relief Association, the Local Benevolent Association and the Local Exempt Firemen’s Association and was an active member in the Livingston Benevolent Association. 

Tom retired from Picatinny Arsenal in 1996 after 30 years of service.  He remained involved in both the rescue squad and fire department until his passing.

Tom was proceed in death by Arline McCarthy in 1991.   He is survived by his two brothers, Ray McCarthy, of Poquoson VA and Mike McCarthy of Bushkill, PA and two children, Jeff McCarthy (wife Lori) of Charlotte NC and Jill Allaben (husband David) of Henniker, NH and his five grandchildren, Ryan, Matt, Dalton, Spencer and Beau. 

Visitation is scheduled for Friday, January 20, 2023 from 2:00 - 4:00 PM and 6:00 - 8:30 PM at Bermingham Funeral Home, 216 S Main Street, Wharton, New Jersey, with a burial to follow Saturday morning at Locust Hill Cemetery, Dover, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Tom’s name may be made to hospice at VNA, 175 South Street, Morristown, NJ, 07960 or Jefferson Township Fire Department #2, P.O. Box 965, Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849 or The Jefferson Rescue Squad, 827 Route 15 South, PO BOX 300, Lake Hopatcong NJ 07849.

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