DRACUT – Gary McCarthy, age 73, a longtime resident of Dracut, MA, passed away at home on Thursday, March 28, 2024, with his family by his side. He was born in Lowell on August 10, 1950, and was the son of the late Francis McCarthy and Dorothy (Leary) McCarthy.

Gary graduated from Lowell High School in 1968 and received his bachelor’s degree at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell in Education. After graduating college, he entered the U.S. Airforce and received his commission as a jet pilot. He served as a Chelmsford police officer and teacher in Dracut Public Schools before beginning a career as a dedicated Dracut town official, first as the Town Clerk and Assistant Town Manager before moving on to become the Superintendent of the Dracut Water Department, a position from which he retired in 2010.

Along with loving and caring for his beloved family, home projects and gardening, Gary enjoyed spoiling his granddaughters with sugar and being a supportive and loyal friend to many.

In addition to his longtime partner James McPhillips, Gary is survived by his wife Mary Ellen McCarthy and children Erin Quinn, Kelley McCarthy and Brian McCarthy, all of Dracut, along with his grandchildren, Maggie and Harper Quinn and Emrie McCarthy.

Relatives and friends are invited to Gary’s Life Celebration on Wednesday, April 3, from 4 until 7 PM at the McKENNA – OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME, 327 Hildreth Street. Committal Services will be held on Thursday morning at 11:30 AM in St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to: Via Venmo @the_ellie_fund. For directions and condolences please visit www.mckennaouellette.com.