James McCarthy

James McCarthy, age 74, of Holland died Sunday, December 4, 2016 at Holland Hospital.

Jim was born and grew up in Holland where he attended St. Francis de Sales School and Holland High School. He left Holland to attend Aquinas College, then Michigan State University where he earned a master of social work degree. He worked his entire career as a clinical social worker in various agencies and as a private practitioner. After their retirements in Lansing, Jim and Jane chose to move permanently to Holland.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents John and Bessie McCarthy and his uncle John Risselada.

He is survived by his wife of 26 years Jane, and step-children: Kevin and Kirsten Shapiro of Burlington, VT and Mark and Lisa Shapiro of Cleveland, OH, and adored granddaughter Aliza; brother-in-law Michael Fisher, and cousins; people essential in Jim’s life: Patricia Driesenga (Merle Driesenga, deceased) of Holland, MI, Paul and Sande McCarthy of Dallas, TX, Mark and Meredith McCarthy of Pensacola, FL, treasured mentor, Max Bruck of Newport Beach, CA and dear friend Pam Howe Perry of Northern, MI. The family wishes to thank the nurses and doctors of the IC unit at Holland Hospital for their extraordinary care provided to Jim and Jane.

Jim was a philosophical, gentle, and thoughtful man with an ironic sense of humor. He loved sailing, tennis, traveling, reading and discussing ideas. People were drawn to him because of his gifted ability to listen and to not judge. He will be greatly and forever missed by those who knew and loved him.

A funeral mass will be 12:30 pm, Saturday, December 10, 2016 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 171 West 13th Street in Holland. Father Charles Brown will be officiating. Following a graveside service at Pilgrim Home Cemetery, lunch will be provided at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church.

Visitation will be from 6-8 pm, Friday, December 9, 2016 at Mulder Chapel, 188 West 32nd Street in Holland. Memorial contributions may be given to Doctors Without Borders, USA, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030, or Heifer International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202, Attn: Donor Services.