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BRIAN MCCARTHY: RIP
Loch Arbour surfer, community activist passes away
Brian J. McCarthy died of a heart attack Friday, January 11th, while surfing his homebreak in Loch Arbour, New Jersey. He was 53.
Born in Jersey City and raised in Interlaken, Brian was a graduate of St. Rose High school, Belmar and Providence College, Rhode Island. After receiving a degree, he served honorably in the Marine Corps and then as a helicopter pilot, flying search and rescue missions, with the US Coast Guard. Brian was a Lieutenant Commander when he retired from the Coast Guard in 2000.
Brian is also remembered for his efforts as a member of the community Planning Board and Loch Arbour 50th Anniversary Committee. Last September, he organized Loch Arbour's Deal Lake clean up.
"[Brian] was selfless; he would do anything for anyone at anytime. Nothing was too big," said Loch Arbour Mayor Betty McBain, who had developed a close friendship with Brian over the years. "He just found joy in the simplest things, in every aspect of life."
In his off time, Brian could often be found at the beach in Loch Arbour, fishing, kayaking, or surfing.
"Most will hoot you off a wave, but he would hoot you into them," recalled friend and photographer Jeff Smith. "He was a pleasure to know and ride with at the long jetty."
Friends, family, and those affected by Brian's life paddled out at Loch Arbour on Saturday, January 19th to honor his memory. Brian is survived by his three sons, Matthew, Kevin, and Mark McCarthy, and his daughter, Amy Suttle.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
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