John “Jack” Michael McCarthy

John “Jack” Michael McCarthy, age 80, passed away peacefully in the company of family on April 9, 2024, at Lindsay Place in Pennsville, NJ.

Jack was born in Salem, NJ on January 2, 1944, and was one of eight siblings born to the late Elizabeth (Hess) and Eugene McCarthy. He is survived by his loving daughter Ariane and son-in-law Matthew Hofstedt, grandsons Anderson and Quinten, devoted sister Marita Carll (Bear), sister Linda McDonald (Donald), brother-in-law Martin Lillya (Joan), sister-in-law Joan McCarthy, several cousins, nieces, and nephews, and his former wife Linda (Bill) Engel. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his cherished siblings Terry McCarthy, Bettyanne, (Willem) Van Rijnsoever, Gene McCarthy, Janine Lillya, Gerri (Tom) Bledsoe, and nephew Taylor Lillya.

Jack was a 1962 graduate of Salem High School and served in the U.S. Army from 1963-1966 where he achieved the rank of Sergeant and was stationed in Italy and the Philippines. After his military service he worked at the Delaware City Refinery for more than 32 years followed by a second career driving a school bus for 7 years for the state of Delaware. He enjoyed gadgets and tinkering with anything that needed fixing including volunteering to repair wheelchairs for a local charity group and making clocks. For several years, Jack was known as the “clockman” who had no less than 20 clocks at any given time waiting to be gifted or ticking and chiming away in his house all at once. He was most happy sharing a cold one at the Rusty Nail, hammering through a dozen steamed crabs with family and friends, taking in the sights from a bench along the Cape May boardwalk, and sunbathing until he turned bright red in the summer sun. Later in life he enjoyed bird watching, reading, and rooting for Notre Dame alongside his longtime favorites, the Phillies and the Eagles.
 

He was known for his fun-loving, warm smile, twinkling hazel eyes, and general kindness. From Hawaiian themed parties to silly hats and custom t-shirts made for tubing down the Brandywine River, he wanted to spread happiness and lend a hand whenever possible. He was a loving and devoted father and proud “Pappyjack” to his two grandsons, and above all else valued being a part of such a large and warmhearted family.
 

His wishes were to be cremated with no funeral services with a possible small private informal gathering with family later in the year.
 

In lieu of flowers, hug the ones you love, enjoy the sunset, buy a lottery ticket, get a Texas Weiner from Gus’s, a chocolate milkshake from the Charcoal Pit, or do a random act of kindness as simple as holding the door for a stranger. Jack’s daughter, Ariane, would also appreciate receiving pictures and/or memories at arianehofstedt@gmail.com.
 

For those who would prefer to contribute, memorial donations may be made to Journey Hospice, c/o LSMNJ, 3 Manhattan Drive, Burlington, NJ 08016 or www.journeyhospicenj.org. or the Cape May Lighthouse at https://cmmac.ticketapp.org/portal/product/124.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John “Jack” Michael McCarthy, please visit our floral store.