OBITUARY: Community Leader Eugene Brendan McCarthy Jr., 79, Passes Away Feb. 16 in Indialantic

Past Chairman of Health First Foundation and Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast

His illustrious volunteer career included being Past President of the Holy Name of Jesus Parish Council and Knights of Columbus 4th Degree; Past Chairman of Health First Foundation; Past Chairman of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, and recipient of their Volunteer of the Year Award.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — Eugene Brendan McCarthy Jr. passed away at his home in Indialantic on February 16, surrounded by his loving family.

Gene was born in NYC on October 11, 1943, to Eugene and Claire McCarthy. Growing up in Port Jefferson, NY, Gene joined the Air Force after high school and served his duty in upstate New York. He married his high school sweetheart, Judy (Stevens), in 1966 and began his career with Grumman Corp. in Bethpaqe, NY.

As a part of the Apollo space program, he transferred to The Kennedy Space Center, where they lived in Cocoa Beach and had two children, Jennifer and Brendan.

Falling in love with the area and knowing Florida would be a wonderful place to raise their family, they decided to stay in Florida when the program ended and begin a new chapter. Gene joined AG Edwards as a stockbroker in 1972 and went on to enjoy a very successful career in the financial services industry.

In 2001, at the age of 58, Gene was proud to be able to turn his business over to his son and begin retirement.

His passion was serving the community he had grown to love and quickly rose to leadership positions in all of the volunteer organizations of which he was a part.

His illustrious volunteer career included being Past President of the Holy Name of Jesus Parish Council and Knights of Columbus 4th Degree; Past Chairman of Health First Foundation; Past Chairman of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, and recipient of their Volunteer of the Year Award.

He was a Past Board Member of the Melbourne Airport Authority, Past Chairman of Florida Tech College of Business Board of Overseers, and a member of Delta Mu Delta. He was also Past Vice Chairman of Leadership Brevard; Past Chairman of Melbourne/Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce; Past President of the Board of Trustees of the Brevard Museum of Art & Science; Past Commodore of Eau Gallie Yacht Club.

He truly lived by one of his favorite quotes: “You Make a Living by What you Get, You Make a Life by what you Give.”

Gene will be missed by all who knew him as an impassioned and dedicated man who led his family with tremendous integrity, compassion and wisdom.

He lived for his children and grandchildren and was fiercely proud of them. His love of the Miami Dolphins & Florida State Seminoles was only eclipsed by the sports his own grandchildren played, and his happiest place during retirement was on the sidelines of a soccer, lacrosse, or football field when they were playing.

He and Judy enjoyed many years at their summer cabin in Highlands, North Carolina, and then, most recently, visiting Maine, where their daughter Jennifer resides.

Guiding him throughout his life was his Catholic faith, and his connection to his Irish heritage was an important part of who he was.

He is survived by his beloved wife Judy of 57 years; his daughter Jennifer and significant other Steve Arnold; son Brendan (Eugene Brendan McCarthy III) and wife Mary; 3 grandchildren Julia, Mick (Eugene Brendan McCarthy IV), and Catherine. He also leaves behind four sisters, Eleanor (Walt) Chamberlin, Deborah (Tom) DeWick, Mary (Steve) Hargraves, Colleen (Patrick) Henderson, and a brother Douglas (Claudia) McCarthy; his 5 Stevens’ brothers and sisters-in-law, and “Uncle Skip” to 21 nieces and nephews and 24 great nieces and nephews.

Arrangements: A funeral Mass will be held at Holy Name of Jesus in Indialantic, Florida, on Friday, March 3 at 11 a.m.; visitation at 10:30 a.m. A reception will immediately follow at the Eau Gallie Yacht Club.

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