Eugene J. McCarron, 71
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Eugene Joseph McCarron, 71, of 61 Tyler St., a longtime educator and community leader, died Thursday, June 28, 2001, at home.
Born in South Boston on June 30, 1929, son of Thomas and Blanche LaBonte McCarron, he attended schools in Revere. He received his bachelor of science degree and master's degree in education from North Adams State College.
He enlisted in the Marines and served during World War II. While in college, he was recalled by the Marines to serve during the Korean War as a master staff sergeant.
Mr. McCarron was first employed by the town of Florida as a teacher and, in 1956, began teaching in North Adams. He taught at the former Houghton Elementary and Mark Hopkins schools, and was assistant principal at Mark Hopkins. He taught social studies and science at Silvio O. Conte Middle School for 20 years, retiring in 1995.
Founder of Conte's science fair and space program, he received a Teacher of the Year Award. While at Houghton and Mark Hopkins, he coached basketball, baseball and football.
Mr. McCarron was a communicant of St. Francis' Church, where he was a soloist, member of the choir and a eucharistic minister. He was a member of the former teachers' bowling and softball leagues and a member of the Massachusetts and Berkshire County Teachers' associations, serving as president of the Berkshire association in 1959.
He was a volunteer for Northern Berkshire Elder Services for many years and was the recipient of the Volunteer of the Year award. He was also a former volunteer and chairman for the American Red Cross in Northern Berkshire County.
He leaves his wife, the former Carol Jean Richard, whom he married Aug. 13, 1956, in St. Patrick's Church in Williamstown; five daughters, Mary Jean Marotta of Leominster, Margaret Eudocha Fitzpatrick of New Fairfield, Conn., Barbara Ann Naclerio of Madison, Conn., Kathleen Blanche Morey of Malta, N.Y., and Melissa Nancy McCarron of North Adams; four sons, Michael John McCarron of Cheshire, Patrick Joseph McCarron of Salt Lake City, Paul Thomas McCarron and Matthew Anthony McCarron, both of North Adams; two sisters, Mary MacDonald of North Wilmington and Catherine Syracusa of Boston, and 15 grandchildren.
A son, Shawn Andrew McCarron, died April 23, 1978.
FUNERAL NOTICE — The funeral will be Saturday at 10 at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Burial with military honors will follow in the family plot in Southview Cemetery.
Calling hours at the funeral home will be Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9. Memorial donations are suggested for the St. Francis Church Building Fund through the funeral home.