Stephen J. McCarthy

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Stephen John McCarthy.

Stephen McCarthy was born on July 1, 1950, in Sacramento, California, to John and Jean McCarthy. He has a sister, Susan, and a brother, Scott. The McCarthy family moved to Pasadena, California, in 1959. He attended John Muir High School from 1964–1968 and went on to Whittier University, where he graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Steve had a love for all things history, art, music, literature, and, of course, all things vehicular and peculiar. He had an ear for music and taught himself to play both Scottish and Irish bagpipes, the Irish penny whistle, and the bodhrán. He met lifelong friends in nearly everything he participated in-driving buses for Embree to put himself through college, working at Bap-Geon Imported Auto Parts, flagging with CalClub, and through his teaching career at schools including Ramona Convent Secondary School.

Around 1976 (ish), Steve met the love of his life, Marianne, and they married in 1980. They have three daughters: Brianna, Meaghan, and Caitlín.

Steve never limited his ambitions and, as a result, lived a very full and diverse life. Toward the end of his 40 years of teaching European History, American Government, and Economics to high school students, Steve and Marianne began a photography business, mccARThy Architectural & Vehicular Portraits, after a transformative trip to Ireland in 2006. Steve and Marianne would show their photography at local art fairs, often with esteemed recognition. Additionally, Steve combined his love of writing with this business and released “THE book on Road Trippin’ in the Western U.S.,” and he never looked back. After retiring, Steve went on to publish two Road Trippin’ books, ten spy novels, three fantasy novels, and a collection of original poetry and photography.

Any time not spent writing, taking photos, tinkering with cars and model railroads, Steve spent with his family, which grew to include two incredible sons-in-law, Paul and Yung, and two amazing granddaughters, Nora and Abigail. He loved having a fresh audience for his classic pranks and jokes, with a signature twinkle in his eyes and a not-so-innocent smile forming every time. Family meant everything to him, and he cherished every trip north to visit his mother and sister, every family dinner, every school event. He demonstrated this love most earlier this year with the cancer diagnosis of Marianne, attending every single doctor’s appointment and proudly witnessing her ring the ceremonial gong and bell when she completed successful treatment in July.

Steve passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 24, 2025. There will be a Celebration of this Life Well Lived on November 9, 2025. Details will be made available by the family.