Warren/Ware, MA — Ernest Edward McCarthy Jr. (“Mac”), age 89, of Cedarbrook Village in Ware and formerly of Warren, passed away peacefully on August 13 at Rose Monahan Hospice House in Worcester, Massachusetts. Mac was the original GIRL DAD, devoted to his five daughters: Mary Johnson (Vernon), Lisa O’Keefe (Kevin), Maureen Jankins (Michael), Lynn Butler (David), and Monicia Galamaga (Peter). He is also survived by his sisters Joanne D’Amore and Marilyn Coltey. Mac was predeceased by his beloved wife of 66 years, Patricia (Castano) McCarthy, his siblings Richard McCarthy and Dorothy “Ish” Dierman, and his parents Ernest and Dorothy (O’Connor) McCarthy. He was a proud and loving grandfather to fifteen grandchildren: Hillary Johnson Shear (Jack), Brian Johnson (Emily), Benjamin Johnson, Kelsey O’Keefe Spear (Kurt), Reilly O’Keefe Magazine (Matthew), Meaghan O’Keefe Redd (Richy), Cody Jankins, Olivia Jankins (Luke Whelan), Thomas Jankins (Casey), Shelby Jankins, Samuel Butler (Danielle), Mackenzie Butler, Timothy Galamaga, Daniel Galamaga, and Charles Galamaga. Mac was affectionately known as “Poppa” or “Big Mac” to his ten great‑grandchildren: Zoey, Cole, Piper, Ellie, Delaney, Quinn, McKenna, Spencer, Hadley, and Harper. 

Born at Mary Lane Hospital in Ware, Mac was the eldest child of Ernest E. McCarthy Sr. and Dorothy (O’Connor) McCarthy. A lifelong resident of Warren, he cherished the simple joys of small‑town life, close friendships, and community involvement. Over the years, he volunteered for the Finance Committee, the Quaboag Booster Club, and the Alumni Association. Mac was a gifted athlete, excelling in basketball and baseball at Warren High School. A 1954 graduate, he served as Class President, attended Boys State, and received a Citizenship Award at the Statehouse. He spent a postgraduate year at Worcester Academy, helping the team win its first New England Prep School Basketball Championship in 1955. Committed to education, Mac earned his degree at night from Holyoke Community College while raising his family. His passion for sports carried throughout his life — he traveled up and down the East Coast to watch his children and grandchildren compete. In one legendary pre‑GPS day, he managed to attend three of his daughters’ basketball games from Connecticut to New Hampshire in one day.

Mac’s career included work on the Mass Pike bridges in Warren, Spencer’s Chrysler Dealership, and as Operations Manager for 35 years at Titeflex in Springfield. He joyfully accepted early retirement in 1992, embracing golf, travel, and family life. He proudly celebrated his three documented hole‑in‑ones, a record he never hesitated to mention during family gatherings. Together with Pat, Mac became a 24 year snowbird traveling to Boynton Beach, Florida, enjoying golf leagues, beaches, hosting friends and family and visiting Florida attractions, and dinners at the Banana Boat. Their travels included a cross‑country trip, several cruises, and a memorable journey to Ireland with his sister Ish. Mac attended every wedding, graduation, first communion, birthday, and reunion he was invited to — staying connected brought him tremendous joy. One of his greatest pleasures was Sunday morning “Coffee Talk” with his daughters, grandchildren, and great‑grandchildren — a weekly ritual he cherished deeply. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to our childhood friend Becky Perrin, to the staff of Care Central Hospice, Cedarbrook Village, and Rose Monahan Hospice House for their kindness, compassion, and the comfort they provided to Mac and his family. 

Calling hours will be held at Varnum Funeral Home, 42 East Main Street, West Brookfield, on Thursday, August 27, from 5–7 PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 28, 2026, at 11 AM at St. Carlo Acutis Parish, 10 Milk Street, West Brookfield. In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Rose Monahan Hospice mail to: VNA Care, Fund Development, 100 Trade Center, Suite G-500, Woburn, MA 01801-1872 508-658-7700 or 617-835-9654 for questions Or email: giving@vnacare.org