Robert F. McCarthy passed away on May 16, 2026, at the age of 89. He will be remembered for this faithfulness, keen intellect, and deep love of family and community.
Bob was born on January 7, 1937, to Patrick and Mary Bridget McCarthy. He was married to Erma (Egan) McCarthy for 63 years before her passing in 2023. They had two children and two grandchildren.
Bob had retired from his career as an internal auditor when he and Erma accepted the invitation of their sister-in-law Noreen Egan, CSJP-A, to attend an information session about becoming an Associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. They made their first covenants in 1986 and their lasting covenants in 2008.
Bob was a man of prayer who held the concerns of the world in his heart. Just last weekend he attended a retreat at Loyola, which he had gone on for many years. He loved being at St. Michael Villa, and would often say to his friend Lorraine Casey, CSJP-A, on the drive home that "all the tension of the world would be gone when he was with the sisters." Lorraine shared that while he always felt the sisters were happy for his coming, they did not realize how grateful he was to be a part of the community.
In his reflection on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of becoming an associate, he expressed what associate membership meant to him:
We have experienced at every turn, hospitality and acceptance. … We have been given so many opportunities to grow spiritually as we attend retreats, recollection days, and community days. … We have been made so aware that the charisms of peace and justice are ours to live and we must seek and find ways to make our presence felt as peacemakers in all the situations we encounter in our daily lives--home, parish, reach-out ministries.
We know now when we responded to that invitation to Shalom Center 15 years ago, we found what we were searching for - companions on our journey to the Lord.
Bob and Erma were very active associates, from the beginning until the end of their lives. He attended the Spring Assembly earlier this month at St. Michael Villa and participated in the Chapter Circles until his hospitalization.
Truly our lives in community have been enriched by Bob's presence among us. We trust that he will continue to journey with us from his new home with God as we move toward Chapter. Just imagine all the fun he is having catching up Erma and their friends and family in heaven on all the news.