Donald Charlie McCarthy

On August 20, 2022.

Donald Edmund McCarthy was born on March 23, 1964 in Montreal, the youngest of three children born to the late Ross and Ruth McCarthy.

But there will be no further references to Donald in this tribute. Shortly after his birth, a nurse crossed out "Donald" on his hospital record and changed it to “Charlie” Like his namesake, Charlie McCarthy had a big personality; funny, charming, and easily the most entertaining guy in the room.

He is survived by his sons Alex and partner Ainsley, Eric and partner Jane and his youngest son, Charlie. As well as his loving partner, Maura Faughnan, who he found again, and just in time.

Also surviving are his brother David and sister-in-law Kathleen Murphy, David's son Chase and daughter Tessa; his sister Donna and her sons Jamie and Max Taylor. He will also be forever missed by his best friend, Patrick McEleney and wife Heidi, his lifelong friends and cousins, Clifford, Christine, and Christopher Sweeney and Leslie, Joann and Randy McKay. As well as his family for 30 years, Tracey and the entire Lemmon gang.

His life played out more like an adventure than a resume. An Alumni of Senator O’Connor College School and Guelph University. Adored by his customers and co-workers, he was the consummate salesman, most recently at Weber Marking Systems. He will be remembered by everyone in Leaside as a devoted hockey coach, but while he was a good hockey player, he was a great golfer. His six handicap was a testament to the fact that he preferred the links to the office. Charlie was everyone's favourite fourth among his many pals at Meadowbrook Golf Club.

He had a going foot and loved to travel. Among the places he revisited were Scotland and Ireland, where the golf courses beckoned him. But he was as comfortable with a jigsaw as he was an 8 iron. A gifted contractor and designer, with vision that turned many ramshackle teardowns into beautiful homes. Among his other talents, Charlie was a capable guitarist, pianist and song writer. He loved cooking for friends and wrote and published a cookbook based on favourite family recipes.

Above all, was family. Charlie was a great dad, a proud dad, to his three beloved sons, Alex, Eric and Charlie. His children didn’t just mean the world to him, they were his world. His sons are appropriately devastated by his sudden absence, but are an enduring testament to his love and spirit.

It is not possible to think of Charlie without smiling. He was that guy. Always a few minutes late, (except for a tee time) he could turn any ordinary day into a memorable one. Typical of families with some Irish heritage, dinner tables were a fighting match to see who could speak the loudest and tell the most stories, Charlie’s were always the best, the funniest, the most audacious.

As his beloved Auntie Carmel would say, ‘he was quite a boy".

The family would like to thank the entire ICU staff at Toronto Western, for their outstanding and compassionate care.

In keeping with his generous spirit, and fondness for happy endings, Charlie was able to donate his organs, giving the gift of life to others.

Donations in Charlie’s memory are suggested to Regent Park School of Music, Hockey 4 Youth and Shepherd Village.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 24th, from 3 to 5 and from 7 to 9 at Paul O’Connor Funeral Home with Celebration of Life Thursday at Donalda Golf and Country Club starting at 1pm with Remembrances starting at 2pm. Parking is limited at Donalda, we suggest carpooling or taking an Uber. Masks are requested.

“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”