Judge Memorial CHS and Saint Mary of the Wasatch honor Philip McCarthey for his family's philanthropy

Friday, Jun. 26, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — Philip McCarthey was made an honorary Judge Memorial Catholic High School alumnus of the Class of 1970 during the 2015 JMCHS combined class reunion at the Marriott Hotel City Center June 20. 

“It’s fun to say I am truly a member of the Class of 1970; I am grateful to Judge and the greater community for this honor,” McCarthey said.

“Phil and his family have actively supported philanthropic efforts, not only at JMCHS, but throughout Salt Lake City, the State of Utah and the nation,” said Susan Lollini, JMCHS advancement director. “He has maintained lifelong friendships with his classmates, and we are grateful for his dedication and continued support of JMCHS’ educational efforts.” 

McCarthey attended J.E. Cosgriff Memorial School from kindergarten through the eighth grade and then graduated from a Jesuit boarding school in Lenox, Mass., and then graduated from Gonzaga University in 1974. Many of his Cosgriff schoolmates went on to attend Judge Memorial.

“The Judge Memorial connection for me means tradition, history, friendship, a sense of belonging – a place where I kind of grew up,” McCarthey said. “There is something about the Judge community that remains with me. It’s nice they completely opened the doors to me tonight.” 

Among the many contributions the McCarthey family foundation has given is the JMCHS McCarthey Stadium, which was made possible through a donation from the McCarthey family and the Jane F. McCarthey Foundation.

“Bringing the community together through sports and education are both important to the McCarthey family,” McCarthey said. “My father was dedicated to Judge Memorial sports and athletics.” 

McCarthey credits his mother, the late Jane McCarthey, for passing on the importance of education to her children. 

“We want to ensure others have an opportunity for a good education,” he said. “My mother had the opportunity to go to college and she wanted all of her children to have a great education.”

His father, the late Thomas Kearns McCarthey, “taught his children the sense of charity – what can we give from what we have to better others, to share the bounty that we’ve been blessed with,” McCarthey said.

McCarthey and his family have continued to put into practice what their parents have taught them. 

In 2007, he and his wife, Sandy McCarthey, and his sister Maureen McCarthey made a donation for playground equipment at J.E. Cosgriff Memorial School. The McCarthey family also has contributed to the technology program at Cosgriff School. 

“The McCarthey family has been involved in the Diocese of Salt Lake City and are strong believers in education supporting Judge Memorial, Rowland Hall St. Mark’s School, Gonzaga University and the Madeleine Choir School,” said Monsignor Joseph Mayo, JMCHS Class of 1965 and Saint John the Baptist pastor, who attended the reunion.

“The McCarthey family provides a wonderful lecture series at Rowland Hall,” Msgr. Mayo said. “It takes the McCarthey vision of journalism and literature to bring in these noteworthy persons and stories to Salt Lake City.”  

“Phil has really brought the best out of the class of 1970,” said Vicki Mori, a classmate. “We are proud of him and of his achievements, but more than that, he has really helped so many people along the way. We’re lucky to have him, and I’m proud to call him a classmate.”