In Memoriam: Gerald Thomas McCarthy, 1927-2024
Mr. McCarthy was the founder of Gerald T. McCarthy Insurance Agency
SALEM – Mr. Gerald T. McCarthy, 96, of Salem, beloved husband of the late Virginia Marie (O’Donnell) McCarthy, long time Salem business owner, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, January 30th, 2024, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House with his family by his side.
Born and raised in Salem Willows, he was the son of the late Francis J. and Sara E. (Abbott) McCarthy. He attended Salem Public Schools and was a graduate of Salem High School, class of 1944. He was drafted and served his country during World War II as a cleric in the United States Army. As an honorably discharged veteran, he took advantage of the GI Bill and continued his education at Merrimack College earning his degree and graduating in the college’s first graduating class. He married his wife of 49 years in 1951, Virginia M. O’Donnell (Ginny) and raised a family there. They moved to Beverly in 1973. Gerry returned to Salem in 2018, spending his final years at the Essex Condominium where he lived independently until he was hospitalized with complications from Covid-19 in early January 2024.
Mr. McCarthy was the founder of Gerald T. McCarthy Insurance Agency, a full-service agency of Salem in 1956. McCarthy Insurance was a multigenerational, highly successful insurance agency that serviced over 5800 residential and commercial accounts on the North Shore and beyond for over 6 decades. He retired in 1994 and was proud to have his son-in-law take the reins of the family business and continue their success. Gerry was professionally known for his client commitment and customer service. He was a man of integrity and helped many families and businesses as they navigated difficult circumstances throughout his career.
Sailing was a passion of his and for many years he and his wife enjoyed time spent on their boat wintering in Florida. An astute seaman and captain, several times he navigated and skippered their power boat along the eastern seaboard all the way from Pickering Wharf, Salem to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Professionally he was a member of the Massachusetts Insurance Association. He was a long-time member of the Boston Yacht Club of Marblehead and the Salem Rotary Club for many years. He also served on the Salem Planning Board. He was an avid history buff and enjoyed spending his time woodworking, oil painting and drawing. Above all else he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who will be deeply missed.
A true gentleman, Gerry was always dressed to the nines and carried himself with distinction. He was devoted to his faith and was a communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church in Salem and St. Margaret’s Church in Beverly Farms.
Gerry is survived by his daughter, Virginia M. Blazo and her husband, Richard W. Jr of Beverly, his son, Gerald T. McCarthy Jr. of Florida, his grandchildren, Sarah Blazo of Hyannis, Richard Blazo III of Portland, ME and Andrew Blazo of Beverly and several nieces, nephews and extended family. He was the loving husband of the late Virginia Marie (O’Donnell) McCarthy and brother of the late Francis and John McCarthy.
