Mr. Edmund A. McCarthy, Jr., 67 of Ilion, NY, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday morning, October 13, 2005 at his home with his loving wife beside him. He was born on January 16, 1938 in Little Falls, a son of the late Hon. Edmund and Mary (Misner) McCarthy. He grew up in Little Falls and attended St. Mary's Academy where he graduated in 1956. He also attended Utica College where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Social Studies from Syracuse University. Mr. McCarthy later moved to East Herkimer in 1960 and resided there for 34 years until moving to Ilion in 1994. He was formerly married to Sandra Kast of East Herkimer. He also served in the United States Army Reserves for seven years. On September 16, 1994 he was united in marriage to Joyce Palmer Schuster at Piseco Lake. During their eleven year marriage, Ed and Joyce shared an unconditional love. They were truly dedicated to the well being of each other and formed a unique bond, one to be admired by those who know them. Mr. McCarthy was formerly employed by Remington Arms as a supervisor until his retirement in 1986. After retirement, he became an instructor at the Utica School of Commerce where he taught until 2000. He was a former member of Holy Family Parish in Little Falls and a member of St. Joseph's Church in Herkimer. He was also once a fire commissioner for the East Herkimer Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the East Herkimer Fish and Game Club. Mr. McCarthy loved NASCAR and his favorite racecar driver was Dale Earnhardt, #3. He also liked to watch John Wayne movies with his family. Mr. McCarthy was a light-hearted soul whose humor was contagious to those around him. First and foremost, he was a husband and father who put his wife and children above all else. Mr. McCarthy and his family enjoyed their camp on Piseco Lake where their family has gathered since 1937. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his beloved wife, Joyce at home, his loving children, Deirdre Polak and her husband John of Marcy, Daniel McCarthy and his wife Tammy of Deerfield, Dean McCarthy and Tara Mereness of Little Falls, Jon Schuster and his wife Lisa of Floyd, and Ron Schuster of Ilion; a special sister, Janet Thrower and her husband Anderson of Tennessee; three beautiful grandchildren, Austin and Hannah McCarthy and Brandon Schuster; and his mother-in-law, Eileen Palmer of Herkimer and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by an infant daughter and an infant son. He was also predeceased by a special nephew, Marek Sadlon and a special aunt, Cecilia Barbuto. Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation at the Enea Family Funeral Home, between Frankfort and Ilion, on Sunday, October 16, 2005 from 5-8 p.m. Mr. McCarthy's funeral will commence on Monday, October 17, 2005, at 8 a.m. from the chapel of the funeral home where a prayer service will be offered and at 9 a.m. at Holy Family Parish, Little Falls, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Anthony Ligato, Pastor officiating. Procession will follow to Higgins Bay Cemetery near Piseco Lake, where he will be laid to rest. Mr. McCarthy's family would like to thank the Dialysis Unit at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare, especially Vicki Case and Dr. DiFilippo, Dr. Eldredge, and Dr. Blatt for their compassionate care for Ed in last several years. Friends may consider memorial contributions to the Dialysis Unit of Faxton-St.Luke's Healthcare in lieu of flowers. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. For directions to the funeral home, click the facilities link above.