Francis Neil McCarthy's Obituary
Francis N. McCarthy, 66, formerly of Lawrence, MA, passed peacefully into everlasting life on Friday, July 29, 2022.
Born in Methuen, MA, Francis was the son of Mary Jane (Proulx) and Thomas L. McCarthy. He attended Saint Patrick’s Grammar School in Lawrence and graduated in 1970.
Francis experienced a mental health crisis at age 14, leading to him living with schizophrenia. Francis lived in Danvers State Hospital until it closed, followed by several group homes in Lawrence. Francis had the opportunity to bus tables at a local fast-food restaurant, provide cleaning services at a library, and perform piece work for local businesses.
Francis broke his hip in his early 50s, including a challenging recovery from a MRSA infection and hip removal, leading to him using a wheelchair for mobility and moving into Hunt Nursing Home.
Francis was a very happy, loving, and caring person. He loved watching movies from his youth. One of his favorites was the Wizard of Oz. He always loved playing bingo and card games with family, fellow residents, and peers. Music was a great love; his favorite band being The Beatles and his favorite song, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, sung by Judy Garland. He enjoyed weekly visits to Putnam Pantry in Danvers to enjoy his favorite treat, chocolate ice cream.
Living in the present was one of his greatest strengths. Francis was a man who never complained, despite numerous health challenges throughout his life. Every time he greeted you, a smile would show on his face with big open eyes, even during the hardest of days. He would always say, “It’s good to see you. I missed you.”
Francis had a deep-rooted faith, and often said, “I want to go to Heaven.” He missed his mom, dad, and brother, Tommy, and wanted to be together with them again. While we will miss his loving smile, we take comfort in knowing he is reunited with family.
Survivors include his beloved brother, Dennis McCarthy and sister-in-law Marilyn McCarthy of Salem, NH; his nieces, Allison Carvalho of Haverhill, MA, Meredith McCarthy of Lowell, MA, and Paige Petroni of Haverhill, MA; his nephews-in-law, Luiz Carvalho of Haverhill, MA and Jared Petroni of Haverhill, MA; and his grandnieces, Gabriella and Juliana Carvalho of Haverhill, MA. Francis was pre-deceased by his parents, Thomas and Mary Jane McCarthy, and his brother, Thomas McCarthy. He also leaves behind his many McCarthy and Casey cousins who were dear to his heart.
His family offers heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the loving care he received from the staff of Hunt Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Friends and family may call on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 from 9:00AM to 10:30AM at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home Inc. 122 Amesbury St. Lawrence, MA, 01841. For more information or to send an online condolence please visit our website at: www.breenfuneralhome.com.
A funeral mass will follow at 11:00AM at St. Monica Church 212 Lawrence St. Methuen, MA, 01844. Committal services and burial will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, MAMH.org.
The family respectfully requests that people attending services wear masks at all times, both at the funeral home and the church.
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