John Patrick McCarthy passed away peacefully on July 9, 2024, at the age of 73. Born in Ventura on May 28, 1951, to Charles R. and Agnes P. McCarthy, he was the second oldest of eight children. In his youth, John loved surfing locally at the Rincon, Surfers Point, and spots down into Mexico. His adventurous soul led him to riding his bike from San Francisco to Ventura, backpacking through New Zealand, and trekking around the family desert property outside of Littlerock, CA. After graduating from Villanova Preparatory School, he started McCarthy Concrete. On October 11,1991, he married the love of his life, Ann T. Hendricks. They remained together until her death on October 19, 2010. In 1997, John retired his concrete trowel and became a custodian for the Ojai Valley School District. While at Matilija Jr. High, he was given the nickname Smokey by the students as he was always seen with a lollypop in his mouth as he worked on quitting smoking. Long before his retirement in 2012, he became a steady fixture at Bonnie Lou’s, where he was treated as family by the staff. He was a man of few words, lived a simple life, and who’s perfect day would include a good book, a nice cigar, and a glass (or two) of Irish Whisky. In his last days, he was surrounded by family enjoying stories of his youth and a life well lived.
John is survived by his daughters Fairelynn Villa and Laurene McCarthy; his siblings Kathleen, Michael, Maureen, Danny, Colleen, Patty, Therese; numerous nieces, nephews, great nephews and a great niece. A funeral service will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Ojai on August 10 at 10:00 AM with a memorial to follow in the fellowship hall.