SEND FLOWERS
Obituary
James Lucien McCarthy, affectionately known as “Mac,” passed away on July 13, 2026. He was 81 years old.
Mac was born September 6, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan, to Lucien and Bertha (Sigman) McCarthy. He grew up in Dearborn, where he was known for causing a bit of a ruckus with his friends throughout the neighborhood and around his father’s business, Greenfield Cleaners. A devout Catholic, Mac attended grade school at St. Alphonsus in Dearborn, followed by Salesian Catholic High School in Detroit.
Shortly after graduation, James was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. While training, he was diagnosed with bronchial asthma, forcing a difficult pivot in his military journey. Unable to deploy, he instead served his country for six years at Fort Knox as the base’s dependable company clerk.
In the early 1970s, he met June LaBrecque during a Catholic singles night at a local church. Despite an almost seven-year age difference, they immediately knew they were meant for each other. On November 14, 1975, the couple happily wed in front of family and friends at St. Roch Catholic Church. Nearly eight years later, their daughter, Shannon, was born—befittingly on Mac’s 39th birthday, forever sealing an inseparable father-daughter bond.
A proud veteran, he also earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from Wayne State University. Throughout his career, he helped numerous people across Metro Detroit, whether by navigating their taxes or teaching young entrepreneurs the essential computer skills needed to launch their businesses. No matter who you were, Mac was always there to help, offering love, compassion, and his trademark wit. He even earned the nickname “Sweet Jim” in his final job before retiring.
Mac loved his family, solving difficult math problems, watching college football, swimming, traveling (which typically involved taking what he firmly considered a “shortcut”), the occasional cold beer, and teasing June and Shannon relentlessly.
For ten years, Mac bravely fought dementia with June fiercely by his side every step of the way, truly epitomizing the “in sickness and in health” vows they took in 1975. Although it is a cruel disease, Mac continued to live his life to the fullest, including walking Shannon down the aisle during her wedding to Daniel Alexander in 2020.
But even the bravest soldiers eventually need to rest. Mac is survived by his devoted wife, June; his daughter, Shannon (Daniel) Alexander; his sister-in-law, Donna (William) Bock; his brothers-in-law, Jim LaBrecque, Lenny (June) LaBrecque, and Jerry (Helen) LaBrecque; nieces, Tina (Davon) Weatherholt and Anne (Nick) Burnett; nephews, Kevin (Melissa) LaBrecque, Ryan LaBrecque, Dennis (Nieves) Justice, and Marc LaBrecque; and his two beloved fur grand-babies, Pearl and Tate, who will deeply miss his snuggles and neck scratches.
He was welcomed into heaven by his parents; his aunt, Charlotte; his mother-in-law, Ella; father-in-law, Leonard; brother-in-law, William (Bill); nephew, James Douglas (J.D.); sisters-in-law, Christine (Chris) and Helen; plus numerous beloved pets, including Rocky.
Mac’s life was defined by love and laughter, and his family will continue to cherish every special memory. He is now at peace. The family extends their deepest gratitude to everyone for their love and support throughout this difficult journey.
Mac will lie in state at Michigan Memorial Funeral Home on July 16, 2-8 p.m., with an 6 p.m. Honor Guard service. On July 17, there will be a funeral mass at 11 a.m. at St. Roch Catholic Church, 25022 Gibraltar Road, Flat Rock, MI 48134.
To honor Mac’s memory, donations may be made on his behalf to the Dementia Society of America or the Michigan Humane Society.
