In memory of Bud McCarthy: 1929 - 2012. Founder, The McCarthy Group of Florists
Bud McCarthy started the company in 1952, as 'Bud McCarthy's Bokay Shop', (pictured). He passed away peacefully on Sunday 15th April 2012 in his home city - Scranton, PA. Born, literally, in the year of the [start of the] Great Depression - 1929 - Bud built an enviable business based on his two greatest beliefs: that winning a customer's trust and loyalty happens 'one at a time' and that superior quality of product as well as immaculate design techniques would always stand the test of time. In following his father, his son Brian grew to boast proudly of his father's influence, and the subsequent growth and name-recognition of the McCarthy Group across the United States. Bud remained an active proponent of the business until the very last weeks of his life. He would offer tips to designers, help with the daily deposits and even produce a floral piece or two of his own. In Bud McCarthy, the name of the family and of the business was paramount until his passing day.
Bud McCarthy may have passed into the hands of our Lord, but his influence, his legacy and his integrity, honesty and humility, shall remain with The McCarthy group forever. It is because of Bud McCarthy that we remain - because of him we cry not at his passing, but smile at how many millions he made smile. The name 'McCarthy Flowers' shall always be synonymous with this greatest of men - this true American. Mark Pitt
"He was a special guy who lit up a room" Mr. Jack Howard. Executive Vice-President, Teleflora, Los Angeles.
"I had the pleasure of meeting Bud several times. His bright spirit and keen wit were delightful and endearing. The Teleflora family was lucky enough to have him join us on a few of our trips and he always made everyone's time brighter." Mr.Mark Freeman, Teleflora
From the Scranton Times:
John "Bud" McCarthy of Clarks Summit died Sunday surrounded by his family after a long illness. He and his wife, the former Nancy Rafter, would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on May 2.
Born in Dunmore, he was the son of the late Ernest and Sophia Kraft McCarthy. A graduate of Dunmore High School, he served in Okinawa with the U.S. Army and attended the University of Scranton. He founded McCarthy Flowers in Dunmore, the Bokay Shop, on May 1, 1952. The McCarthy Flowers Group is now nationwide. Bud had remained active as a consultant to his own stores and other flower shops across the country. He was also the former president of the Northeast Florist Association and was well respected among his peers for his designs. He joined the Country Club of Scranton as a teenager. An avid social member, golfer, and a member of the Hole-in-One Club, he held the second longest membership in the Club's history. He was also a former member of The Melrose Club, Daufuskie Island, SC; and the Harbor Town Yacht Club, Hilton Head, SC.
Bud had a strong faith and a firm belief in the power of prayer. His kind and compassionate ways and commitment to putting the needs of others first touched the lives of all he knew throughout his wonderful life. He was a kind and selfless man, and his keen sense of humor was second to none. His greatest joy was in keeping those close to him safe and happy.
Along with his wife Nancy, survivors include, a son, Brian McCarthy and his wife, Erin of Atlanta, Ga; two daughters, Linda McCarthy Flynn and husband, Jim, of Clarks Summit; and Nancie McCarthy Pond and husband, Ed, of Titusville, Fla.; grandchildren are: Jeffery Flynn of New York City; Kevin McCarthy and wife, Julianna; and Meghan McCarthy of Atlanta, Ga.; two sisters-in-law, Paula Harte of Scranton; and Janie Rusinko of Clarks Summit; two nephews, David Harte and Chris Harte of Scranton; three nieces, Sandra Kenosky of Moscow; Robin Holman and Carol McCarthy, both of Florida.
He was preceded in death by a brother, William McCarthy; a sister, Mary Holman; and his beloved aunt, Anna Kraft.
Published in Scranton Times on April 17, 2012
Bud McCarthy may have passed into the hands of our Lord, but his influence, his legacy and his integrity, honesty and humility, shall remain with The McCarthy group forever. It is because of Bud McCarthy that we remain - because of him we cry not at his passing, but smile at how many millions he made smile. The name 'McCarthy Flowers' shall always be synonymous with this greatest of men - this true American. Mark Pitt
"He was a special guy who lit up a room" Mr. Jack Howard. Executive Vice-President, Teleflora, Los Angeles.
"I had the pleasure of meeting Bud several times. His bright spirit and keen wit were delightful and endearing. The Teleflora family was lucky enough to have him join us on a few of our trips and he always made everyone's time brighter." Mr.Mark Freeman, Teleflora
From the Scranton Times:
John "Bud" McCarthy of Clarks Summit died Sunday surrounded by his family after a long illness. He and his wife, the former Nancy Rafter, would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on May 2.
Born in Dunmore, he was the son of the late Ernest and Sophia Kraft McCarthy. A graduate of Dunmore High School, he served in Okinawa with the U.S. Army and attended the University of Scranton. He founded McCarthy Flowers in Dunmore, the Bokay Shop, on May 1, 1952. The McCarthy Flowers Group is now nationwide. Bud had remained active as a consultant to his own stores and other flower shops across the country. He was also the former president of the Northeast Florist Association and was well respected among his peers for his designs. He joined the Country Club of Scranton as a teenager. An avid social member, golfer, and a member of the Hole-in-One Club, he held the second longest membership in the Club's history. He was also a former member of The Melrose Club, Daufuskie Island, SC; and the Harbor Town Yacht Club, Hilton Head, SC.
Bud had a strong faith and a firm belief in the power of prayer. His kind and compassionate ways and commitment to putting the needs of others first touched the lives of all he knew throughout his wonderful life. He was a kind and selfless man, and his keen sense of humor was second to none. His greatest joy was in keeping those close to him safe and happy.
Along with his wife Nancy, survivors include, a son, Brian McCarthy and his wife, Erin of Atlanta, Ga; two daughters, Linda McCarthy Flynn and husband, Jim, of Clarks Summit; and Nancie McCarthy Pond and husband, Ed, of Titusville, Fla.; grandchildren are: Jeffery Flynn of New York City; Kevin McCarthy and wife, Julianna; and Meghan McCarthy of Atlanta, Ga.; two sisters-in-law, Paula Harte of Scranton; and Janie Rusinko of Clarks Summit; two nephews, David Harte and Chris Harte of Scranton; three nieces, Sandra Kenosky of Moscow; Robin Holman and Carol McCarthy, both of Florida.
He was preceded in death by a brother, William McCarthy; a sister, Mary Holman; and his beloved aunt, Anna Kraft.
Published in Scranton Times on April 17, 2012
