John Walter McCarthy was born on Saturday, August 3, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois at the Chicago Lying-In Hospital and Dispensary. He was the fourth of seven children born to his late parents Daniel James McCarthy and Catherine Margaret Leipart. On his father's side, he was the grandson of Daniel Francis McCarthy and his wife Frances Emily Gertrude Trotter, and on his mother's side, Walter Marion Leipart and his wife Mary Anastasia Sullivan. After John's birth, he came to the home of his parents, and one living brother, Daniel James McCarthy Jr. During the time of John's birth, the family resided at 7048 S. Eggleston Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.
John's ancestry is comprised of Irish, German, Dutch and Scottish. His father's family has been residing in Chicago as early as 1875. The McCarthy family were immigrants from County Cork, Ireland and the Trotter family was from Toronto, Canada. His mother's family had been residing in Chicago as early as 1852, in Illinois since 1827 and in the United States as early as 1639.
He spent his formative years growing up in the Englewood and Auburn Gresham neighborhoods in Chicago, where he received a public education. He married his first wife, Jacqueline Finnegan, on Saturday, October 7, 1967, in Chicago, Illinois at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. He was married second to Carol Brestanski on January, 21, 1994 in Bridgeview, Illinois.
John worked as a truck driver for All-Trucking. He was a Fireman and Paramedic for the Justice and Bridgeview, Illinois Fires Departments. He served with the Unites States Army as a reservist. John loved the outdoors and even more, horseback riding. He had his horse boarded in Seneca, Illinois and spent many weekend there with his loving wife Jackie and many family members.
John was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching the Chicago Bears play. When he wasn't attending the action in person, he was surely enjoyed the game on T.V. at home.
John was the dearest brother of Anthony J. Privoznik, Kathryn Ann and Thom Travis, the late Catherine, Daniel, Daniel James, William Francis, Joseph Edward and Donald McCarthy. Fond uncle of Daniel McCarthy and Kyrie Ann Engberg and many other nieces and nephews.
John died on Wednesday, February 12, 2014, at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois, at the age of 67.