Francis X. McCarthy

Francis  X. “Champ” McCarthy , 85, of  Mahanoy Plane PA, The Foot, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loving family, on Wednesday August 11, 2021 at LVHN Schuylkill East. The hospital, formerly the Good Samaritan, is also where all 5 of his children came into the world.

Born  September 10, 1935 at Ashland PA General Hospital, he  was a son of the late Sylvester and Eleanor (Miller) McCarthy, both of whom originally hailed from The Foot. It was on this day that his father, Sib, bestowed upon Francis, the moniker, Champ, which stuck for life!  Remarkably, 3 days later, September 13, the beautiful girl he would marry, Elizabeth Carduff was born in the same hospital and shared the same new born nursery as him.

He was a lifelong, practicing Roman Catholic. Of note, he was baptized, received his first communion, was confirmed and even celebrated the sacrament of marriage with Elizabeth, all at the gone, but never to be forgotten, Holy Rosary Church in Mahanoy Plane PA.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Elizabeth (Carduff) in 2017. His daughter’s Karen Sorber, Bridget Sullivan; and three brothers: Daniel, James and Kenneth.

Surviving are 3 sons, Kevin McCarthy and his wife Denise of Middletown, RI; Patrick McCarthy and wife Marisa of Chambersburg PA; Francis X McCarthy Jr. and his wife Michelle of Bel Air, MD; Bridget’s husband, James Scandola of Cypress TX; brother Sylvester “Sib” McCarthy and his wife Donna of Mill Creek Manor; 15 grandchildren, Ceili, Thomas, Brian, Conor, Gabriel, Elizabeth, Hannah, Caleb, Patrick, Effa, Keirann, Kylie, Mathew, Cassidy and Kelsi. His seven great-grandchildren are Finnian, Oliver, Lydia, Louisa, Exelia, Leo and Teaghan.

Champ was a well read, articulate man with a keen intellect. After high school, he began a career in Data Processing as a key punch operator working as a state employee in Harrisburg PA. From there, he taught himself multiple computer programming languages, eventually retiring after a 45 year career, as Director of IT Services for the Pitman Company in Totowa NJ. He loved sports, especially, the big three: football, baseball and basketball. He was widely known to have the second best curveball to ever come out of the Foot, and his patented Hook Shot was legendary (according to him anyway). He will always be remembered for his undying love of Notre Dame football, and for the pride he took in his heritage as a kid from the coal region.

However, the most memorable aspect of Champ, will always be, his total, absolute dedication to his family. His unconditional love, hard work, commitment and self sacrifice throughout all his life made it abundantly clear, it was never about him, it was all about us, we were his reason. We all say thank you and God bless you for that Dad.

A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday December 11 , 2021  from St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, 250 E. Hancock St. Saint Clair, PA 17970.  The Rev. Msgr. William F. Glosser will be officiating.  Friends may call from 9:00-10:00 AM Saturday at the church.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Clare of Assisi Memorial Fund at the above address.  Champ will be laid to rest beside Betty in a burial ceremony at Holy Rosary Cemetery, Pine Street Frackville. Sadly, Champ’s beloved daughter Bridget Sullivan, passed away on September 29, 2021 in Cypress TX. This funeral mass will be celebrated for both Champ and Bridget. Bridget will be interred along-side her beloved sister Karen Sorber.