Obituary of W.K. 'Ken' McCarthy

McCARTHY: William Kenneth “Ken”- A resident of Chatham, Ken McCarthy passed away peacefully at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Chatham Campus on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at the age of 78. Born in Ottawa on February 15, 1933, Ken was the son of the late William Wilson and Kathleen (St. James) McCarthy. Beloved husband of Judith McCarthy (Matthies) (nee Fox). Predeceased by his first wife Micheline (1994). Loving father of David McCarthy (Deb) and Susan “Susie” O’Hara (Clancy), both of Chatham. Step-father to Michael Matthies (Therese) of Timmins and Gillian “Jill” Matthies (Bernie) of LaSalle. Proud grandfather of Nicolette, Karly, Madeline, Calum, Audrey, Michael, Joshua, Stephanie and Tymeka. Ken is survived by his sisters Peggy Laliberte (Larry) of Mobile AL, USA and Patricia Moore of Waterloo. Predeceased by his brother Alfred McCarthy (1931) and his sister Isabelle Ellis (2000). Ken began his career with International Harvester in Ottawa, furthering his career in Candiac, Quebec where he worked for 15 years. He was then transferred to the Chatham plant where he assumed the title of Plant Controller until his retirement in 1985. Family will receive friends at the Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham on Friday from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at the Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 24, 2011 with Rev. Michael Maroney officiating. Donations made in memory of Ken to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada would be appreciated by the family. Special thanks to Tina and Joanne at the Emergency Department and Amy and Joe at ICU at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance for their care and compassion. Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com, McKinlay Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham, Ontario, 519-351-2040.