James "Jimmy" M. McCarthy, age 64, passed away peacefully at his home in Woburn on Friday, June 5, 2026, following a courageous battle with cancer, with his loving family by his side.

Born in Somerville, Massachusetts on June 19, 1961, Jimmy was one of three children born to the late James and Geraldine (Russell) McCarthy. He was raised in Medford and graduated from Medford Vocational High School with the Class of 1979.

Jimmy was a devoted, loyal, and hardworking man whose work ethic was evident from an early age. He began working as a paperboy at just ten years old and later worked at a local gas station when he was fourteen where he learned a lot about repairing cars. He spent more than twenty-nine years working the early morning shifts at Brigham's Ice Cream in Arlington working in the ice cream freezer and driving trucks to deliver the ice cream before continuing his career as a custodian for the Town of Lexington at the Clarke Middle School, where he dedicated eighteen years of service. He was also a huge supporter and proud member of the Teamsters Union for 29 years.

While Jimmy took great pride in his work, his greatest devotion was always to his family. He was a loving father, brother, uncle, and friend who consistently went above and beyond for the people he cared about. He never missed a game, event, or milestone in the lives of his sons and was always their biggest supporter and a steady place to turn whenever they needed him.

In his free time, Jimmy enjoyed spending time at the ocean especially at Hampton Beach, NH while also enjoying Lake Winnipesaukee with family and friends. More than anything, however, he appreciated the simple things in life: working hard, supporting his family, and spending time with great friends. He was always willing to lend a hand, whether it meant helping with a project, fixing something around the house, or simply being there when someone needed a hand. Jimmy had a remarkable ability to make everyone feel welcome, valued, and loved while also using his sense of humor to make people laugh.

Though naturally quiet and humble, Jimmy possessed a quick wit and an understated sense of humor that could catch you off guard. He never sought to be the center of attention, but his perfectly timed jokes and clever remarks would light up a room and leave everyone around him laughing. Jimmy had an innate ability to make a friend out of anyone. Even those who knew him only briefly were drawn to his easygoing nature and authenticity. He will be remembered for his unwavering generosity, his dedication to those he loved, and the countless lives he touched through his simple acts of kindness.

Surviving Jimmy are his two adoring sons, Brian McCarthy, his partner Kate Busillo and grandson, Braeden Busillo of Reading who affectionately called him “Jim-Bob”, and Matthew McCarthy of Woburn; his loving siblings, Debbie Harvey of Woburn, and Michael McCarthy and his wife Sheila of Wilmington; his former wife and dear friend, Laura McCarthy of Woburn; his beloved nieces, nephews, David Harvey, Kim Martin, Kelly Harvey, Patrick McCarthy, and Erin McCarthy; his cherished and devoted cousins, Eric Ward and wife Michelle and Robert (Bob) McCarthy and wife Patty McCarthy, Kathy Frost and husband David Frost, Billy and Danny McCarthy and friends, Jimmy “Hoppa” Fiumara, and Fred Pierre-Louis, as well as many other dear relatives and close friends.

Family and friends are invited to attend visitation on Thursday, June 11th from 9:00 am until 11:30 am at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington. His Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 pm at St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington. At the request of the family, burial services will be held privately. As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations in Jimmy’s honor may be made to Care Dimensions Hospice, who offered excellent and compassionate care to Jimmy and his family.