HarborTides

Posted in: News on 10/29/09 at 2:23 PM PST

Media Credit: Eddie Ruiz Carole Wirth (second from left), widow of Chris McCarthy (pictured left) mourns her husband with Vice President Luis Rosas (center) and Communication Chair Carmen Carrillo at recent campus memorial.

From playing his guitar in a bar in Alaska where he was told he might be the next Simon and Garfunkel to President of Napa Valley College, Christopher McCarthy made his mark on everyone his life touched.

Colleagues and friends gathered at Los Angeles Harbor College recently for a tribute to the former communications chairperson who died of a heart attack in September. He was 56.

McCarthy's widow, Carole Wirth, was on hand for the ceremony, which took place on a windy day in the Academic Quad.

Colleagues spoke of his dedication and passion to serve and educate students. He served many posts, including as President of California Colleges International Education.

"Not only did he expect the best in his students, but also he expected the best out of his faculty and staff," said Carmen Carrillo, current Communications chair. "He inspired us to go beyond expectations."

Small green ceramic guitars were passed out along with green ribbons with his name on it. Green candles were placed on the stage where the podium was set up. The color green represented his Irish heritage.

"Chris was a genuine, great guy," said Paul Grady, Communications. "A man of integrity. Even though he was soft spoken, he did not back off of important issues."

Michael Hiscocks, Tenor, performed Simple Gifts, a traditional Shaker song arranged by Aaron Copland. Robert York accompanied Michael on the piano.

"With the deepest appreciation to who Chris was and the hundreds if not thousands of lives that he changed for the better," said Mona Field, President, Board of Trustees, Los Angeles Community College District, during the ceremony. "His life lives on. His work lives on."

When Kathleen Burke-Kelly, Vice President of Academic Affairs arrived at LAHC, she asked McCarthy about the district. "The students are wonderful," he said. "They really appreciate what we do for them."

The LAHC Academic Senate recently voted to pass a resolution to honor McCarthy. June Smith, Academic Senate president, read the resolution. That was followed by Hiscocks' a cappella version of Danny Boy, adapted from an Old Irish Air by Fred E. Weatherly.

"He was an ideal faculty member," said Joy Fisher, Counseling. "Students loved him. He brought humor into what he did. Everything."

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