Judy and Pat McCarthy

Hi. I'm writing on behalf of my brother Pat McCarthy, who is very sick and his beautiful wife Judy.

Pat is a son, husband, father, grandpa and friend. He's also not heavy, he is our brother. Pat is smart, a great communicator, funny and fun and a real family guy.

Our brother Pat was born in 1948 on the westside of Chicago to Joan, a homemaker and Donald McCarthy, a Chicago fireman who worked two jobs for years to provide for his growing family, which grew to a loving, wild and crazy 10 children.

In 1957 his parents bought a home in Burbank, IL, a developing south side suburb of Chicago.

When Pat was a senior in high school he obtained a part-time job at Bresler's ice cream parlor at the Ford City Mall where he was able to save for a beat-up, yellow, Chevy Bel-Air. With his wheels he was able to venture out to Scottsdale, another Chicago neighborhood where some of his work buddies lived. These same buddies introduced Pat to his sweetheart and wife of over 50years, Judy Wolf.

She waited for him as he served honorably in Vietnam praying for him as his whole family did. Finally, upon his safe return, he and his sweetheart were married.

Like so many of us Pat and Judy worked hard through their lives together. They raised 3 sons saving and continuing to work hard to send them to college to better their lives since neither of them had the opportunity to go to college.

Since Judy's parents and siblings lived in Arizona they visited them often with their sons. Eventually their sons moved to Arizona, met their wives and started their families there. Then, after working for years, Pat and Judy were finally able to move to Arizona to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

A few years after moving to Arizona Pat finally retired. However, he couldn't sit still for long. He volunteered at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix directing travelers to their destinations. He was also a volunteer at the U.S. Open tournaments. Most importantly, he happily and lovingly volunteered to many play days with his grandchildren while their parents worked.

Since Pat's father died in 1993, he was also like a surrogate dad to his nine crazy sibs. He always had a listening, caring ear, and gave sound advice and encouragement. Since he's been so sick, we miss this so much.

His life changed dramatically on July 4, 2023. He became very ill, very weak. He couldn't even walk. Judy took him to the emergency room and who would have thought that a tiny mosquito could have changed his life so profoundly? Pat was bitten by a mosquito carrying the West Nile Virus. Basically, he contracted encephalitis and became so sick that it's a miracle that he is still alive.

Yes, a tiny mosquito changed Pat from the proud leader of the pack to a man quite disabled and afflicted.

We hoped that his condition would be temporary and would improve.

Pat made solid efforts in rehab and there had been improvements. However, continuous infections have impeded progress and his health continues to deteriorate.

After these past six months the health care professionals have determined that Pat's health has declined so much that the best option for Pat now is hospice care.

As of January 23, 2024, Pat is now in hospice care. The outlook, which was once hopeful will not see Pat here on earth much longer.

This has been a huge emotional, physical and spiritual strain on Pat's wife Judy. In addition to this, of course, is the financial aspect. Pat's brother's, sister's, in-laws, children and friends want to help Judy with the huge financial burden she has incurred over the past six months in getting Pat the proper care for this insidious infection / disease.

Unfortunately, the aid that Pat needed did not come for free, nor was it cheap. The West Nile Virus is an emerging disease. It hasn't been around long enough, and the existing health care systems need a greater understanding of the disease. Perhaps in the future similar cases to Pat's will have a better outcome.

We know that many of you have financial strains and responsibilities. We understand. We know that you may not be able to contribute because of your responsibilities. But please contribute with your prayers if nothing else.

However, if you can offer any monetary contribution, it would be most appreciated.

Our goal is $20,000 to help Judy cover out-of-pocket expenses for rehabilitation centers and other medical expenses that she and Pat incurred over the last six months. In addition, final expenses.

We humbly and gratefully ask for any financial support you can offer. We underscore any amount.

With your caring donation you can significantly help a struggling and grieving spouse by making her load a little lighter.

May God's blessings shower on you for your generous prayers and support. THANK YOU!!!