Mack McCarthy

CMSgt Mack Martell McCarthy, Sr., USAF Ret., age 68 and of Biloxi, MS, passed away on Saturday, May 8, 2021 in Gulfport, MS.

Chief McCarthy was born in Vicksburg, MS, on September 6th, 1952. The Chief graduated from Warren Central High School in 1971 and began his Air Force career at basic training in May 1972.

In late 1972, after completing the Administrative Specialist Course at Keesler AFB, MS, he proceeded to his first assignment with the 3402d Student Squadron as an Administrative Specialist and later, in 1975, accepted a permanent change of assignment to the 3419th Student Squadron. In 1977, he was reassigned to the 636th Tactical Control Flight, Bremerhaven, Germany, where he wore a dual hat as NCOIC of Administration and the Command Post. In 1980, the Chief was reassigned to the 44th Field Missile Maintenance Squadron Ellsworth AFB, SD, to lead their administrative section. In 1984, he returned to Keesler AFB, MS, as Chief, Student Training Advisor for the 3382d Student Squadron and in 1985 he moved across base to the 53d Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (Hurricane Hunters) where he served as their Chief of Administration. In 1991, he returned to the technical training arena serving first, as the Chief, Military Training Manager for the 3411th Student Squadron and later that same year moved over to assume that position for the 334th Technical Training Squadron. In 1994, soon after his selection for promotion to chief master sergeant, Chief "Mack" accepted an assignment to Osan Air Base, Republic of South Korea, where he was Superintendent, Military Personnel Flight (MPF). He returned to Keesler in 1995, where he served first as the MPF Superintendent until later that same year when he accepted and served as Chief, Military Training, 81st Training Group.

Chief McCarthy's exemplary achievements throughout his 31 years of service were acknowledged through his receipt of numerous awards such as: Airman, NCO and SNCO of the Year, 15th Air Force Outstanding Air Force Administrator of the Year, Student Training Advisor of the year and the Gerrard D. Foster award for the Best MPF in the Air Force. The Chief proudly wore the Meritorious Service Medal with 6 oak leafs, Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 9 oak leafs, the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, the National Defense Service Medal with 2 devices and the Humanitarian Service Medal.

Chief McCarthy was preceded in death by his father, Virgil Martell McCarthy; his mother, Ruby McCarthy; and his brother, James McCarthy.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Jo Ann McCarthy; his children, Lisa Boccaleri and her husband, Tim, SMSgt Mack Martell McCarthy, Jr., USAF, and his wife, Jamie, and SGT Shaun McCarthy, USA Ret., and his wife, Sarah; his brother, Jerry McCarthy and his wife, Debbie; his sisters, Linda Holman and her husband, Curt, and Kay Goss and her husband, Troy; his grandchildren, Quentin, Myah, Abby, Payge and Dylan; and a host of other relatives, nieces, nephews and friends

Pallbearers will be Mack McCarthy, Jr., Shaun McCarthy, Tim Boccaleri, Quentin Boccaleri. TL Goss and Steven Snow.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to your favorite military organization.

Friends are invited to join the family for visitation on Friday, May 14th from 11:30 a.m. until 12:50 p.m. at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 274 Beauvoir Road, Biloxi, MS 39531. The funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel.

Chief McCarthy will be laid to rest at Biloxi National Cemetery. Due to cemetery regulations, only family will be proceeding to the cemetery.