LOWELL — Terry McCarthy, affectionately known as one of the “Three Amigos” and whose civic engagement ran deep, passed away Tuesday morning.
McCarthy was an appointed member of Lowell’s five-member License Commission. But it was through his position as president of Lowell Sun Charities where McCarthy left an everlasting impact.
The charity’s signature event, Sun Santa, still managed to raise about $260,000 for hundreds of needy Greater Lowell families during the last holiday season, despite the pandemic.
With Coordinator Nancy Roberts, McCarthy was particularly proud of Sun Santa’s outreach efforts to raise thousands of dollars in the city’s Southeast Asian community.
“Terry was the true definition of a community leader. His endless dedication and selflessness to the city of Lowell and the Lowell Sun Charities will certainly be missed by many, ” said Sun Regional Publisher Kevin Corrado.
“I’ve lost a friend and the community has lost a friend with Terry’s passing,” said Roberts. “He was so helpful to so many people throughout the region.”
McCarthy texted with his close friend, former City Manager James Campbell, late Monday afternoon.
Tuesday, Campbell had this to say about his pal: “Lowell has lost one of its biggest cheerleaders, Terry McCarthy. Second only to his deep love of his family, Terry loved the city of Lowell. My wife and I were deeply saddened to hear of Terry’s passing. I last heard from him Monday afternoon when we were making plans with our weekly poker group, a ritual we have followed for several years.
“I have known Terry for many years and if he was your friend, he was your friend for life. I used to marvel at how passionate Terry was when he was helping those underprivileged families in his role as head of the Lowell Sun Charities. He truly cared about those who were less fortunate than he was. Terry was also the first and most consistent visitor to those who were ill at home or in the hospital. Terry had a tremendous faith in God, and I am sure that if anyone has made it to heaven, it will be Terry McCarthy… the underdog has lost a true champion, may he rest in peace.”
Earlier on Monday, McCarthy visited Sun offices at 491 Dutton St. to check on charity matters. He then proceeded to talk local politics with a couple of Sun staffers for 20 minutes. The spirited discussion also touched on a Kennebunkport, Maine, food truck known for its lobster rolls.
Upon hearing of McCarthy’s death, Lowell lawyer Michael Gallagher offered this statement late Tuesday morning about McCarthy: “Terry was a legend in these parts. One of the nicest, most gregarious, most generous, most universally respected and loved, most big-hearted persons you could ever meet. A huge loss for family and his many, many friends, but also for this city and region.”
Along with the late Thomas McKay and Leo Creegan, McCarthy was part of the private firm, Mill City Management, that ran the Lowell Memorial Auditorium from 1995 to 2013. That era was considered by many to be the heyday of the auditorium as it was a popular venue for big names and local dance recitals.
The trio was known as The Three Amigos. McKay, their leader, died on February 9, 2014.
McCarthy was a devoted communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church, and recently helped organize its golf tournament. McCarthy was retired from the Middlesex Sheriff’s Department, where he was a top administrator.
McCarthy is survived by his wife Kathleen; daughter Patricia; and sons Sean and T.J.
