EAST BRIDGEWATER — The East Bridgewater Board of Selectmen regrets to announce the passing of former member Robert McCarthy, who passed away last weekend at the age of 82.
McCarthy served as a member of the Board of Selectmen from 1969 to 1975. Flags on Town property will be lowered from noon on Thursday, Jan. 20 to sunset on Friday, Jan. 21 to recognize McCarthy’s service to the Town of East Bridgewater.
McCarthy graduated from East Bridgewater High School as a member of the Class of 1957, from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1961 (having played on the Army football team), and from Boston College Law School in 1967.
He proudly served in the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry branch. From 1962 to 1963 he served with the 503rd and 325th Airborne Infantry Regiments of the 82nd Airborne Division.
In East Bridgewater he served as President of the Plymouth County Bar Association.
McCarthy also served in other elected roles. He served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, representing the 8th Plymouth District, from 1971 to 1975. He served in the Massachusetts Senate from 1975 to 1981, and from 2001 to 2015 he served as Register of Probate for Plymouth County.
In 1972, McCarthy was selected as a Massachusetts Delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Miami Beach, Florida.
In 1980, he won the Democratic Primary to represent the 10th Congressional District.
He continued helping people through his local law practice, his active membership with the Kiwanis Club, and his longtime chairmanship of the East Bridgewater Democratic Town Committee. He was a dedicated parishioner of St. John’s Church and member of the American Legion Post 91.
He enjoyed golfing, politics, and was an avid Army Black Knights football fan.
“Robert will be remembered as many things to those who knew him, especially as a dedicated family man,” East Bridgewater Board of Selectmen Chair David Sheedy said. “He had a great sense of humor and and was proud to have served his country as well as the Town of East Bridgewater in numerous capacities. On behalf of the entire Town of East Bridgewater, the Board expresses its condolences to Robert’s family on his passing.”
Donations in McCarthy’s memory may be made to either Kiwanis Club of East Bridgewater or the American Legion Post 91. McCarthy’s full obituary, including service information, can be found here.
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