BURLINGTON, Vt. — Father Joseph F. McCarthy, 91, retired priest of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, died May 26, in Burlington.

He was born Aug. 28, 1920 in Lawrence, Mass., the fourth of five children born to John W. and Anna (O’Donovan) McCarthy. He entered the Augustinian Seminary on Staten Island, N.Y. in Sept. 1939. He was a 1945 graduate of Villanova University with post graduate work in theology realized at Catholic University in Washington, D.C.

Father McCarthy was ordained to the priesthood at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. on June 8, 1948. During the first 12 years of his priestly ministry, he taught at Catholic high schools in Chicago and Rockford. The next 16 years he served as associate and then pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Detroit, Mich.

As a member of the Springfield diocese he served as parochial administrator of St. Barbara, Witt (1977-1982); pastor of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Assumption, and St. Francis DeSales, Moweaqua (1982-1986). He was parochial administrator of St. Mary, Farmersville, and St. Patrick, Girard (1986-1987) and of St. Thomas the Apostle, Newton (1987-1988). He retired from active ministry in the Springfield diocese in 1988.

In the diocese of Burlington, Vt., Father McCarthy was parochial vicar at the parish of St. Mark in Burlington (1988-1990). Two years later he assumed pastoral responsibility at St. Jerome Parish in E. Dorset, Vt., as well as the parish of The Most Holy Trinity in Danby, Vt. He also served as temporary administrator at St. John the Baptist Parish in Enosburg Falls and, later, at St. Mary’s in Cambridge. In addition, he assisted at many other parishes.

Father McCarthy was predeceased by his parents; two brothers, John W. McCarthy Jr. and Charles L. McCarthy; and two sisters, Regina M. McCarthy and Eileen L. Gleason. He is survived by four nieces, 12 great-nieces and great-nephews, and a cousin.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated May 31 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Burlington, by Bishop Salvatore R. Matano. Burial was at Resurrection Park in South Burlington. 

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to National Right to Life Committee, 512 10th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20004.