Jeremiah Mccarthy

OCONOMOWOC - Jeremiah (Jerry) McCarthy lost a courageous battle with prostate cancer on April 1, 2010. He was 74 years old. Jerry was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He shared his love for science with Kettle Moraine High School students for 23 years, teaching both biology and chemistry. He also spent many years coaching freshman football and basketball. Born in Stoughton, Wisconsin on December 26, 1935, Jerry was the youngest of 9 children born to Charles and Mary (Farberg) McCarthy. He graduated from Stoughton High School in 1953. He was a star basketball and football player, leading Stoughton High School to the 1952 football conference championship. He honorably served his country as a member of the United States Navy during the Korean War. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a BS in Science and received a Masters in Science from Kansas State University. Jerry taught science for 36 years, first in Illinois and then at Campion Jesuit High School in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. In 1975 he joined Kettle Moraine High School where he spent the remainder of his career. Jerry loved life and lived it to its fullest. He was a charismatic man who always had a story to tell and a song to sing. He adored his seven grandchildren, each of whom held a special place in his heart. Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Susan (McKercher) McCarthy, his daughter Callie Bjurstrom (Jeff), two sons, Kevin (Chellie) and Brendon (Shelly) and seven grandchildren, Brian, Adam, Nick, Jake, Erin, Ashley and Megan. Jerry is also survived by 3 sisters, Kathryn Christenson, Eileen Schroeder and Clara Vogel. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Bob and Charles and 3 sisters, Margaret, Alice and Mildred. A service to celebrate the life of Jerry McCarthy will be held at St. Bruno's Catholic Church in Dousman, Wisconsin on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 5:30pm. The family will greet friends at the church beginning at 4:00pm. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Ruggeri, the staff at the Oconomowoc Cancer Center, and the staff at AngelsGrace Hospice for their wonderful care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jerry's name to the Kettle Moraine High School Scholarship fund or to St. Bruno's Catholic Church.