Sean McCarthy passed away at the age of 54 following a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
Sean McCarthy passed away at the age of 54 following a short battle with pancreatic cancer. His late father ‘Skeet’ (SVC 1945-52) as well as his two sons, Matthew (SVC 2004-07)and Arron (SVC 2001-08), also attended the College. Aaron and Sean’s sister, Marcelle Bowden spoke at the funeral service held at Blundstone Arena on Sunday September 10, with more than 1000 people in attendance. Matt who now lives in Sweden and was here to be with Sean prior to his passing , but returned to Sweden as the birth of his first child was imminent. He was farewelled by former St Virgil’s classmates, fellow Carlton Park Surf Lifesaving Club members and Triabunna District School teachers as well as family and friends. Following the funeral, about 200 of Sean’s fellow surfers took part in a “paddle-out” led by his son Aaron. The idea was organised by Carlton Park and the Park Beach surf riders. A circle was formed and Aaron spoke about his dad before those present caught a “party wave” together as a tribute.
Post school, Sean attended Drysdale and became a chef – a job he was to practice intermittently over many years. Other ventures included a carpet cleaning business, a stuffed rocking horse business and real estate. Eventually he headed to University and became a teacher. To quote from his sister Marcelle’s eulogy …, “Sean’s distinct lack of a ‘Grand Plan’ in life, meant that it took a while for his natural instincts to lead him to his calling. But after all Sean’s dreams and ideas, teaching was the culminating career that embraced all his passions in one: community, kids, food, garden, outdoors, autonomy, life-long learning …. It didn’t get much better than that! And he was bloody good at it! For the past ten years he had been a teacher at Triabunna. Mr McCarthy helped kickstart Carlton Park’s iconic Nippers Surf Programme and establish other surf clubs up the East Coast. Sean couldn’t live far from water and in later years became an avid mountain biker. His association with Carlton Beach Surf Lifesaving Club was acknowledged in March this year when he was awarded a 35 Year National Patrol Service Award from Surf Life Saving Australia. On January 14 1998, Sea was instrumental in two swimmers being rescued having been caught in a rip at the mouth of the Carlton River. Regrettably a further two swimmers lost their lives. In acknowledgement of his efforts, he was awarded a Commendation for Brave Conduct. The award was presented to him at Government House in Canberra by Governor General William Dean on behalf of the Queen on August 21 2000. Farewell Sean – a life of friends, family, service and the sea!
