As spring nears we are very sad to report that our good friend and former LCOC Western Region board member Tom McCarthy has passed away after a long illness. At age 90 he died in his sleep on February 12 in Murrieta, CA. Long-time LCOC members recall Tom as an active and enthusiastic member whose gorgeous Emberglo ’66 Lincoln convertible was a fixture and prize winner at numerous LCOC meets. Tom displayed his passion and love for his favorite vehicle by polishing and continually working on it until it sparkled inside and out. His dedication inspired many club members to do the same.
He served as the Western Region Secretary and handled trophy management for meets. This is no small feat, as the primary class trophies are individually designed and procured for each new meet and the permanent senior trophies are reclaimed after one year’s possession by meet winners for display and awarding at new meets.
Former Western Region Director Stacy Roscoe recalled, “I am sad that a beloved member, Tom McCarthy, has died. His son John let us know last month that he was failing… His obituary relates so much that we knew about Tom: what a wonderful and caring man he was.
“I experienced that first hand. From the moment I joined the club, Tom was warmly welcoming and became a mentor as I navigated the ups and downs of restoring my car. He was masterful at trophy management and always made certain they were available, polished and in the correct order,” Stacy said.
Tom bravely battled a progressive illness with his customary humor and grace until he was unable to maintain his Lincoln and decided it needed a new home. The stunning car made the long journey from California to the East Coast when it was purchased for Jeanne Talbourdet, wife of LCOC National President John Talbourdet. Jeanne and John have continued to enjoy and display the legendary convertible in a manner Tom would have loved.
Throughout his life two of Tom’s passions were cars and auto racing. Tom loved to drive and to do it with style. Tom attended races at Riverside, Ontario, Ascot, Laguna Seca, and even Indy. His vehicles were meticulously maintained and paint was protected by layers of high quality, hand applied wax. Eventually Lincolns became a passion and Tom’s ‘66 Lincoln Continental slab side convertible was a category winner. LCOC provided more opportunities to travel and develop deep friendships with other members of the Lincoln owners’ community. Those friendships lasted and are greatly appreciated even after Tom sold his Lincolns because of his health.
His obituary noted that Tom was born in Waterbury, Connecticut on June 10, 1934, graduated from Crosby High School in Waterbury in 1952 and earned a Bachelor of Science from Providence College in 1956. Tom then enlisted in the Navy, was commissioned as an Ensign, and served as a Lieutenant JG at the Naval Training Center, San Diego. He met Maureen Frances Kilroy, who was a smart, feisty, registered nurse in San Diego and they were married for over 50 years until her untimely death in 2012. Maureen and Tom were devoted to one another and to their sons Stephen, Michael, and John. They had high standards that they held themselves to and instilled in their children.
Besides his car hobby, Tom excelled in business and he enjoyed traveling and being a devoted husband and dad to three sons. Click here for his full obituary and to learn more about our beloved friend. Our sincere condolences go out to Tom’s friends and family. He was a wonderful and kind man who will be deeply missed.
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