News from Whyaduck - Clifford McCarthy

This just in from Whyaduck, who asked me to pass it along. The asterisks
indicate text which was a different color (purple in this case) from the
rest of the article, as sent to me.

—Andre

Clifford McCarthy
Died: Wednesday, July 16, 2003
Age: 82

ATHENS — Clifford McCarthy, 82, died from an extended illness Wednesday
morning, July 16, 2003, at his home, 8833 Phillips Lane, where he was
surrounded by his family. He was born in Chicago, the son of Thomas and
Margaret McCarthy. He was professor emeritus of art at Ohio University, from
which he retired in 1991 after 33 years in the School of Art.

An abstract expressionist painter, he studied with Fernand Leger in Paris
after having earned bachelors and masters degrees in art from the University
of Wisconsin. He also studied at Escuela de Pintura et Escultura in Mexico
City. He taught at Hood College in Frederick, Md., before coming to Ohio
University in 1958. His sabbatical leave was in England, where he taught at
Brentwood College. In addition to his painting and teaching, he pursued
photography as a primary interest.

He was a World War II veteran of the Army Air Corps and served in a photo
reconnaissance squadron. While stationed in Japan at the end of the war, he
photographed the people in Tokyo and the surrounding area. The collection of
photographs he made at that time was shown in Japan in 1995, with the
McCarthys as guests.

A peace activist, he made 10 trips to Nicaragua out of his concern for the
problems of rural people of that country. The campesino photographs he took
on those trips were exhibited in a number of galleries across the United
States. He twice served as an election observer during his Nicaraguan trips.
He also was an ardent supporter of many progressive causes and a frequent
participant in demonstrations and marches in Washington, D.C., Fort Benning
and other venues.

One of the longest-term members of the Unitarian Fellowship of Athens, he
played a major role in the design and construction of its Longview Heights b
uilding, where he did a full-wall mural, and both inside and outside
balustrades. He also presented many programs before the Fellowship group.

*** When Kurt Vonnegut was searching for an Ohio artist to feature in his
novel "Deadeye Dick," he contacted McCarthy, who at the time was hosting an
"Arts in Ohio" radio program. The two became friends, and McCarthy was
mentioned in two of Vonnegut’s novels as they kept in touch over the years.
(He loved a painting Cliff had painted from a photo of his parents on their
honeymoon in a rowboat around the turn of century. I think that’s why he
picked Cliff.) ***

McCarthy was active in Senior Olympics and other athletics. He won a number
of medals and awards, particularly in running and race walking.

He was an avid collector of quilts, cameras and Life magazines. He also took
up wine-making for a number of years and, most recently, began restoring a
Model A Ford.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Arline Russell McCarthy; a son, Dane
of Millfield; daughters, Shaune McCarthy Charle of Somersworth, N.H., Leslie
McCarthy of Middlesex, Vt., and Justine McCarthy-Lenz of Northampton, Mass.;
six grandchildren; and a brother John McCarthy of Claremont, Calif.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Domini McCarthy of Boston, Mass.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, 3 p.m., at Unitarian Fellowship, 184
Longview Heights Road. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be
made to the McCarthy Quilt Award fund, which was established at the Dairy
Barn by the family for the Quilt National Show in honor of Domini McCarthy
at the time of her death in 1983. The Dairy Barn’s address is Box 747,
Athens, OH 45701.