Obituary of Gerald P. McCarthy

Gerald P. McCarthy of Pomfret Center, age 77, died unexpectedly on Saturday, May 18th, 2013. He was born August 17th 1935 in New York City and made Pomfret his home for the last 39 years. He retired in 1998 after 35 years as a metallurgical Engineer with United Technologies Research Center in East Hartford, CT. Jerry was known for his infinite patience, his kind nature and for his selflessness. Quick to laugh, to help and to share, and a virtual stranger to anger, he was a truly good person. He was a nature lover in the truest sense and had a fondness for many creatures great and small, particularly the wildlife around his home. He was also an avid hiker, and loved travelling the U.S. and Canada with his wife in their R.V. Jerry gave in death as he gave in life through tissue donation. Jerry dearly loved and was loved by his family; he was a particularly devoted Opa to his grand-daughter Anna B. Jerry was pre-deceased by his son, Brendan and his brother Joseph. He leaves behind Ilse, his wife of 48 wonderful years, his daughter Deirdre A. Mendenhall, his son-in-law Kevin Mendenhall and his grand-daughter Anna B. Mendenhall of Killingly, CT., sisters Marie Morton and husband Donald, Poughquag, N.Y., Patricia Ryan and husband John, Yonkers, N.Y., Kathleen Lahti and husband Richard, Cottonwood, AZ, sister-in-law Ann McCarthy, Lakewood, CA, as well as nieces and nephews across the country. There will be no calling hours; a gravesite service will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jerry's memory may be made to the Connecticut Audubon Society -Center at Pomfret- P.O. Box 11, Pomfret Ctr., Ct . 06259. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, Putnam, directed arrangements. To share a memory with his family "Light a Candle" at www.smithandwalkerfh.com