Richard B. Mccarthy

Richard B. McCarthy, 87, passed away on May 25, 2024 at Burlington Memorial Hospital.

Richard McCarthy was one of three children born to Ray and Margaret McCarthy of the Chicago area. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother. He leaves behind scores of friends who were and are blessed to have known him. He will be interred at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Hillside, IL.

As a young man, Dick served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. Then he had an opportunity to work for a small hamburger restaurant in Oak Brook, IL (McDonalds). He declined that opportunity: "I'm not working for a hamburger joint." He later wondered what would have happened if he joined McDonalds when it was just a little startup company. He did go to work at Eastern Airlines. After that he worked for Randhurst Mall in Mt. Prospect, IL. It was at Randhurst that Dick learned about mall special events and promotions. He quit Randhurst to form his own mall promotion/event company, American International Circus. Dick planned, arranged and ran circus-themed performances and entertained shoppers of all ages at shopping centers and malls around the country. Dick hired the circus acts for the events and did everything from being the ringmaster to operating the cotton candy machine. With his height, big smile and booming ringmaster voice, Dick was a larger-than-life presence in his ringmaster costume and top hat. Dick enjoyed meeting and being with people. These attributes served him well throughout his years. After coming to the Lake Geneva area circa 1988, Dick later enjoyed working at Kilwins ice cream store where he could meet visitors from everywhere. He and friends would often gather at Starbucks in downtown Lake Geneva for coffee and cards. When there was a birthday, Dick again often played the role of ringmaster getting people and birthday goodies where they needed to be for a party. Dick loved to travel and saw many parts of the world on his own or in the company of good friends. For a number of years, Dick and his friends travelled to Acapulco Mexico. During one of the trips Dick established a soup kitchen in Acapulco and organized it so that it would be a continuing venture after his return to the U.S. He was also a sports fan, especially of the Chicago Cubs.

When once asked how he wished to be remembered, Dick said as “A very pleasant person and a good servant to the Lord.” Richard McCarthy was that and so much more. The song, "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling..." seemed as if it was written about him.

Services for Richard will be held on Thursday July 25, 2024, at 1:00pm at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Lake Geneva.  There will be a short visitation prior to the service from 12:30 till 1:00pm at St. Francis Church.

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Derrick Funeral Home of Lake Geneva is honored to be assisting with Richard's services.