Father Donald E. McCarthy, CSB, who served as a long-time teacher and parish priest in the Rochester Diocese, died March 15, 2011, after a long illness. He was 81 years old.
Father McCarthy was a native of Rochester. He attended Sacred Heart School, Aquinas Institute and the University of St. Michael’s College in Toronto. He made his first profession in the Congregation of St. Basil in 1948 and was ordained to the Basilian priesthood on June 29, 1958.
Father McCarthy was a high-school teacher and college professor in the United States and Canada, including Aquinas Institute (1954-55 and 1964-75), before beginning his ministry in parishes.
He served at Christ the King Parish in Irondequoit from 1976-89, becoming pastor in 1982. He was then assisting priest at St. John of Rochester in Fairport from 1989-93 and later at St. Rita Parish in Webster. His final years were spent at the Basilian residence at St. John Fisher College and the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse in Pittsford.
Father McCarthy also was active as a leader, spiritual adviser and chaplain for such movements and organizations as Cursillo, Divine Mercy, Marian and Knights of Columbus.
"Nothing in Father McCarthy’s life separated him from God," said Father Joseph Trovato, a fellow Basilian priest, during his homily at Father McCarthy’s funeral Mass. "Throughout his priesthood Don lived the Eucharist in so many ways — in so many different places, in so many different situations."
Father Trovato also noted that "one of Don’s gifts and talents which we have heard so often is his beautiful ministry to the sick and the dying and his sensitive gift of supporting those who are grieving the death of a loved one."
The funeral Mass took place March 21, 2011, at Christ the King Church, with Bishop Matthew H. Clark serving as celebrant. Interment was at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
Father McCarthy is survived by many cousins and friends.
