It is with heavy hearts that the family of Agnes Wilma McCarthy announce her passing, surrounded by family and friends, on January 19, 2021. Born September 16, 1939, she was the daughter of the late William and Ida (Morris) Simpson, and wife to the late Lorrain "Charlie" McCarthy.
Agnes is survived by her children; Jerry McCarthy (Mary), of Ottawa, Patrick McCarthy (Krista) of Halifax, Shawnee McCarthy Gilmore (Walter) of Keswick Ridge and Kelly Sue McCarthy (Ian) of Fredericton NB; eight grandchildren; six great grandchildren; siblings Janet McLaughlin (Cuffy) of Chatham NB, Allan Simpson (Dot) of Calgary AB, John Simpson (Debbie) of BC, Wilma Simpson-Gray (Duane) of BC, Beverley Simpson-Sharpe (James) of Texas, David Simpson (Yolanda) of Miramichi; several nieces and nephews.
Agnes was a proud member of the Canadian Armed Forces, studying nursing. From a very young age Agnes had a passion for music and loved playing piano whenever she could. In her teens she could be heard singing on the radio in her hometown of Chatham, NB. Agnes had many artistic talents and loved drawing and calligraphy. Her musical talents led her to get involved with the Richelieu Marching Band in Campbellton, NB in the 70’s. For many years she helped organize and fundraise for the countless parades and concerts throughout the Maritimes. This was highlighted with two Grey Cup parade appearances and one Quebec Winter Carnival appearance.
Agnes was an avid hockey fan for many years. In the 70’s, she was heavily involved with the Minor Hockey Association in Campbellton. She worked tirelessly to help organize international hockey tournaments and even coached her kid’s hockey team. Which was unheard of for women to do in that era.
Always the trailblazer Agnes’ accomplishments in minor hockey were surpassed with her accomplishments in NB provincial Baseball. Throughout the 70’s and 80’s and 90’s, she was very active in the NB baseball scene. She was coaching coordinator for Baseball NB as well as a founding member of the Coaching Association for NB. She hosted and was one of the main organizers and fundraisers for an Under 16 Women’s National Baseball Championships in Fredericton. She spent many years with the Fredericton Royals of the NB Senior Men’s Baseball League, serving in various positions for the team including President and GM. The teams that she managed captured four provincial titles. All of this hard work and dedication culminated in her induction in the Baseball NB Hall of Fame in 2004.
Her other passion of course was her dedication to instilling fear and loathing into opposing AHL hockey team players who ventured anywhere near the penalty box at the Aitken Center in Fredericton. She loved "giving it" to the opposing players from her seat, by the visiting penalty box, throughout the Express and Canadians AHL years. She was also very active with the Booster Club for both of these franchises.
She and her husband Charlie were stationed in many locations throughout New Brunswick before settling in Fredericton in the early 80’s. In the early days of Charlie’s career, he worked in one or two man detachments. Agnes would help in the office and man the radio’s when they were out on calls. In 2018, she was made an honorary member of the "J" Division RCMP for all of her support and contributions to the RCMP and her husband.
If Agnes was not at a ballfield or at a rink watching one of her children or grandchildren play then you would most likely find her at a bingo hall somewhere playing the other passion in her life….Bingo.
Bishops Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Due to Covid19 restrictions, a service will be held at a later date. For those who wish, donations can be made in Agnes’s memory to the Canadian Diabetes Association and Canadian Cancer Association.
Online condolences can be made at www.bishopsfuneralhome.com