Eugene H. "Chick" McCarthy Jr. passed away at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston after a courageous battle with cancer. Mr. McCarthy was born in Melrose to the late Eugene H. & Barbara (Jack) McCarthy on August 24, 1949. He was raised in Melrose, graduated from Melrose High School, Class of 1967 and has been a lifelong resident. Mr. McCarthy was an active duty Captain on the Melrose Fire Department where he has worked the past 34 years. Chick was a passionate firefighter for the City of Melrose and poured his heart and soul into his job, taking on may duties in the department. Mr. McCarthy was presently the communications officer for the past 20 years, a avid scuba diver and team leader on the rescue dive team, a safety officer, the house Captain for Group 3 on Tremont St., a fire prevention officer, an advocate for fire safety and brought the "Smoke House" to the Victorian Fair to teach children fire safety. Eugene has been a member of and longtime supporter of the Melrose Fire Department Color Guard, was the driving force behind the restoration of an old Melrose antique fire truck and played a major role in the design and the equipment selected for the new apparatus recently purchased for the fire department. Chick was involved with the Firemen's Carnival, helping raise money for Muscular Dystrophy over many years, organized a Fire Truck Parade in 1980 for the City of Melrose and received an award from the VFW for his support of local veterans. He had numerous other jobs in and around Melrose; Tino's Sub Shop in the early 1970's, Coviello Paving, driving the oil truck for Keohan Heating and the past few years doing small engine repair at Whittemore Hardware. Mr. McCarthy was a proud member of the Red Knights Motorcycle Club in Lynnfield, a national charity that raises money for cancer and has donated 116 pints of blood to the Red Cross throughout his life. He was an avid reader who loved to dance, loved to ride his motorcycle and most of all loved to spend time with his family. Chick was the beloved husband of Diane F. (Bowen) McCarthy. Devoted father of Danielle L. Flood & her husband Doug of Derry, NH and Sean C. McCarthy & his fiancée Melissa Procter of Melrose. Loving grandfather of Malarie & Jason Flood. Brother of Kathy Arsenault, Bonnie McCarthy, Daniel McCarthy, Tony McCarthy, Paul Couture all of Malden, Beverly Stanwood & Scott Couture both of NH and Jeff McCarthy of Melrose. Son-in-law of Florence Sinclair & her husband George of Wakefield. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home 79 W. Foster St. Melrose on Friday Sept. 9th at 10:15AM. A Funeral Mass to Celebrate Chick's life will be held at St. Mary's Church, Herbert St. Melrose, at 11:30AM. Relatives & friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Thursday from 4:00-8:00PM. Interment at Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose. Present Captain on the Melrose Fire Department. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, attn: Sarcoma Research Dept., P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284.