Soccer Season

Amelia, tired of being on the sidelines watching her older brother and sisters play soccer, FINALLY gets to join in on the fun!!  Soccer 2011 in Bedford is off and running!

We will miss you and always love you, Papa!

February 10, 1943 - May 18, 2011

Requiescat in pace

Dad said a few words at Papa's funeral:  

On behalf of Elaine, Jimmy, Brian and Pamela, I’ve been asked to express to each of you their sincerest thanks for your prayers, kind words of condolence and for your presence here today as we both mourn the loss of Jim and celebrate his life.   No doubt, Jim’s cancer was horrible, yet he fought it with dignity, grace and with a good bit of Jim McCarthy orneriness. During his battle, he knew that each of you were with him, by your thoughts and your prayers for him and with your loving support of Elaine and the family. So on behalf of all of us, Thank You!  And Thank you Father for offering Jim’s Funeral Mass here in his old hometown Parish of St. Denis.

Born in 1943 during the height of World War II, Jim was part of a generation that embraced hard work and determination.  With his high school diploma, Jim entered the work force and never stopped until his retirement.  He worked in mills and factories and also flexed his entrepreneurial muscle as a business owner.  With his father-in-law he built a house in Ashburnham where he and Elaine raised a family.  He truly exemplified what it means to be a husband and father by the way in which he lived his life – hardworking, devoted to family, faithful to his wife and to God.

It is impossible to speak about Jim without also speaking about his wife of 48 years, Elaine.   They truly were one.  It was rare that they were apart and the manner in which we referred to them collectively indicated this: Jim n’Elaine; Grampy n’Grammy; Meme n’ Pappa – like themselves, their names to were inseparable.   48 years of marriage, 3 children, 6 grandchildren and one great grandchild.  If you’re a baseball fan, like Jim was, that’s one heckuva box score and a real testament to the love he had for his Elaine.

Jim’s family was his passion – whether it was his own children or his grand children, he was always there  to lend a hand, provide comfort, toss you a few bucks or to just sit on the couch, soaking up the chaos, laughter and non-stop chatter of the kids and grandkids.   As most of you know, Jim would do anything for his family. As his son-in-law, once I figured that out, I’ll confess that I may have exploited Jim’s selflessness just a wee bit from time to time.  With Jim in earshot, I could casually mention to Pam,  “I think the kids need a bigger sand box” and the next day, Jim would be in the backyard building the kids a new sandbox (it’s still in use today, by the way); When I said, “Pam, I really  need a trailer for my lawn tractor” of course loud enough for Jim to hear, the next day, he arrived with his old  trailer: He repaired it, painted it red to match my tractor and then proceeded to mow my lawn.  In fact for years, I didn’t need a lawn service because Jim just took care of it.  I’m sure Elaine is grateful that I never mentioned building a tree house for the kids.

 I’m certain many of us here today have similar stories about Jim’s acts of kindness and his unconditional willingness to help out, wherever and whenever family or friend needed.   

Now, those of us who knew Jim well, understood that once he set his mind to something, there was little you could do but stand back and get out of the way – For instance, If you or I were hungry, we might go to the supermarket and purchase a steak; not Jim – years ago when he got a hankering for a steak, he bought the entire bull, alive and kicking, and fenced it in in his Ashburnham backyard.  Some days he  got chased by his bull and on others, he had to chase after it.  That is something I would have loved to have seen.  Eventually, it provided many steaks for the family however I’m told that Jim’s Mother refused to eat at Jim’s house during this time, fearing she’d be fed the former family pet!    This funny and true anecdote really captures the essence of Jim McCarthy – he was “all in”, never partially in or halfway – if you’re going to build a sandbox for the grandkids, build the biggest one.  If your family needs red meat, buy the whole darn steer!

Jim counted his riches, not in any monetary sense, but in his many friends.  Once you met him, you couldn’t help but like him and today I can look out from here and see many of his lifelong friends.  Your friendship was treasured by him – I know this because whenever Jim and Elaine visited us in New Hampshire, Pam and I had to make sure we had a get together planned with “the friends”.  As I got to know Jim’s friends, it was evident why :  you guys had an awful lot of fun over the years: cruises to warm and exotic locations, parties, weddings, dinners.  You all laughed together, cried together and laughed until you cried together.  More recently, as his health declined your friendship sustained him and lifted his spirits.  Measured in friends, Jim was a very wealthy man!

Jim’s passing leaves a huge hole in our family and in our hearts, yet what he left to us, his legacy, will help each of us fill the void: A wonderful, close knit family, beautiful grand and great grand children, the most wonderful friends and memories, so thick, we’ll have to brush them away from our faces.    

Although Funerals are a time to say farewell, I think I’ll just say good night to Jim, as he did to my children, so sweetly on so many nights for so many wonderful years -

Good night Jim, Dad, Pappa, Grampy, Pal; sweet dreams, God bless and don’t let the bed bugs bite!

The Skiing has been great this year!

Sophia heading down the slope!

Amelia took her first chair lift ride up Loon Mountain this weekend! No more bunny slopes for her.

Our Townhouse in the Mountains

We were so fortunate this summer to come across and purchase a little condo/townhouse nestled in the White Mountains in the town of Lincoln, NH. We're having a blast this winter skiing, sledding and snow-shoeing in a beautiful part of New Hampshire (and frankly, the US). If you look at the center of the picture, you'll see some distant rooftops, one of which is our little place in the mountains!

Where are Sophia's Teeth?