Fr. Gerald McCarthy
Father Gerald McCarthy of Hankinson died on Nov. 25, 2019, at the age of 90.
Father McCarthy was born in Fargo on October 19, 1929. His family lived first in Fargo and then in Miami, Fla. He attended seminary at St. John’s in Collegeville and St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Fargo on June 1, 1957. He completed a Master’s degree in social work from St. Louis University in 1969.
Father McCarthy served in a number of parishes throughout the Diocese of Fargo including: St. Mary, Grand Forks; St. Maurice, Kindred; St. Agnes, Hunter; St. Catherine, Valley City; St. Paul, Tappen; St. Francis, Steele; Our Lady of the Lake, Lake Williams; St. Anthony, Alcide; St. Ann & St. Benedict, Belcourt; St. John, St. John.
Fr. McCarthy served as a chaplain for the Grand Forks Air Force Base, as a director of Catholic Charities, and worked with the Knights of Columbus. He retired from active ministry in 1999.
Fr. McCarthy was preceded in death by his parents Cecil and Olive McCarthy of Miami, Fla.; sister Patricia McCarthy Grant of Fargo; and nephew Sredni Vollmer of Arkville, N.Y. He is survived by niece Annie Magnan, Belchertown, Md.; great-nieces and nephews; and many cousins.
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Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fargo. A Mass of Christian burial will be 10:00 a.m. with visitation starting at 9:00 a.m. at the Cathedral. Interment will be at St. John’s Cemetery, St. John, ND, at a later date.
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Thank you for your kind words and your knowledge that you’ve shared with so many. Your speech at our graduation is forever imprinted in my heart as well as your memory. Peace be with you Father💜🙏💜
He was a wonderful priest and man. He’s with the Angel’s now. RIP
One if the best! Our condolences.
For. Jerry ministered to my mother the last years of her life. They considered each other friends. He co- celebrated at her funeral. Our family was forever grateful for his ministry to mom.
Dear Father Gerry- You were one of a kind. You loved everyone and you were always kind and ready to visit and administer your priestly duties to everyone who needed them. You never picked or chose who should receive Jesus, You loved all of us as Jesus loved us and thank you for sharing your life with us. Most of all, . Thank you for being an Oblate of St. Benedict at St. Ann’s here in Belcourt, you were always an inspiration and added so much more to our meetings with your humor. You definitely were missed when you left but never forgotten and you were always in our prayers. Now go rest in the peace of Christ, Your rewards are waiting for you in Heaven and be sure to put in a good word for us up their. Love you The Ron and Patty Allery Family
I met Father Gerry through his sister, who was a great friend. Father Gerry sometimes allowed me to stay at the St. John rectory as I began fiddle programs in Belcourt and St. John. He was always supportive of my work and my students. Talks with him usually included a hearty greeting and a laugh. I knew when he said someone I was meeting was “quite a guy” that I should probably proceed with caution! He enjoyed reminiscing about Turtle Mountain whenever we met. He loved St.John and the people of that area. We remained friends, and I played some familiar tunes for him earlier this year in Hankinson. He was truly one of the good guys. I was honored to know him.
We first met Father Gerry at St. John the Baptist Church in St. John. He was such a kind person, always had a story or two to tell. The last time I seen him was a few years ago at the Fry’n Pan restaurant in Fargo. He came over to sit and visit for awhile. He wanted to know how everyone back home was doing. You were never forgotten Father Gerry, rest in peace. Anita Gomez
You will be miss Father, thank you and the Catholic Church in Valley City, N.Dak, for sponsoring our family from Vietnam in 1975, We love you. Tran family.
Goodbye Father McCarthy, I heard much about you from your Sister Pam. She loved you so. And now you are together. Thank you for writing me after Pam left for heaven. You truly have a wonderful heart. ’til we meet again in heaven, good travels my friend, Valerie A. Broome