DONALD J. MC CARTHY
After graduating from LAHS June, 1956 Don attended Villanova University and graduated in June, 1960, with a Bachelor Of Science Degree in Economics, Accounting Major. Apparently Don was a late bloomer, since he graduated on the Dean’s List. Most of you who knew Don at LAHS, are aware that he was not the “student” so acceptance at VU was probably due to him being the token Catholic from a local public school.
Following graduation from VU, Don was recruited into the Executive Management Training Program of Del Monte Corporation. His initial assignment was their New York office for just over a year and then was transferred to Del Monte’s corporate office in San Francisco. It was somewhat of a big step for someone who had been no farther than Western Pennsylvania. After completing the two- year training program he was assigned to the Internal Audit Staff, advanced to Senior Internal Auditor, and then was promoted to Financial Manager of Del Monte’s Can Manufacturing Division.
In 1973 Don left Del Monte to become Controller of ABM (ABM Industries Incorporated is the largest national facility service contractor listed on the New York Stock Exchange, with fiscal revenues in excess of $2.8 billion). Some trivia, ABM provided the janitorial services to the New York World Trade Center, in excess of $3 million /month. An ABM window cleaner, who saved several lives that tragic day has his ABM uniform and equipment displayed in the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. After almost 30 years as a “janitor”, Don retired October 2002 as Vice President.
On the personal side, after relocating to San Francisco in 1961, apparently in time the West-Coast maidens got tired of Don’s East-Coast attitude. Sensing this, and having made several business trips east, he married Anne McGettigan, a Rosemont College graduate, in 1964 at Philadelphia’s Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. At the time of the reunion it will be 42 years.
In retirement Don stays active as treasurer of the Villanova University Alumni Association Northern California Chapter (800 alumni), handicap/pairing chairman of a Northern California golf association established in 1985, and president of the local homeowners association. Don’s current attitude in retirement is that getting up early and going to work was highly overrated.
Don and Anne have enjoyed extensive traveling for many years and now that his work schedule (or lack thereof) allows, have traveled throughout Europe, enjoyed cruises, and this year a trip to Scandinavia and Russia.
Anne and Don live in Walnut Creek, CA, (35 miles east of San Francisco) have four children and three grandchildren to date. The enclosed picture includes (left to right): Bill and Lisa Yates (daughter), Paul and Karen Mac Donald (daughter), Joanne McCarthy (daughter), Brian McCarthy (son), Anne and Don.
Don and Anne look forward to visiting with all those attending the LAHS 1956 class reunion.
GO LORDS!