Christopher J. "Chris" McCarthy passed away at the Winchester Hospital on Sunday, January 4, 2009. He was 59 years of age. Chris was born and raised in Melrose, graduated from Melrose High School, Class of 1968 and from Boston College in 1972. Mr. McCarthy was the son of the McCarthy Family for whom the McCarthy House on Main Street is named after. He lived most of his life in Melrose, Georgetown for several years and the past 5 years in Wilmington. Chris worked as an optical engineer for the Itek Corporation in Lexington for 18 years and worked on the Hubble Telescope Project. Mr. McCarthy liked to play and collect guitars, was an accomplished weight lifter, enjoyed watching the History Channel and was a member of the Astronomy Club in Rowley. Chris loved going to the Samoset Resort in Rockport, Maine for the past 25 years and loved all his dogs, especially his English Mastiff. Beloved husband of Mary Lou (Shelton) McCarthy. Son of the late Christopher J. & Kathleen (O'Shea) McCarthy. Son-in-law of John Shelton & Eleanor Adams both of FL. Brother-in-law of John Shelton of Wakefield & Nancy Dempsey of FL. Also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose, on Friday, January 9th at 9AM. Funeral Mass in St. Joseph Church, 173 Albion St. Wakefield, at 10AM. Relatives & friends invited. Visiting hours Thurs. 4-8PM. Interment in Wyoming Cemetery of Melrose. Memorial contributions may be made to National Kidney Foundation of MA, 85 Astor Ave, Suite 2, Norwood, MA 02062