Patrick J. McCarthy

Patrick McCarthy was born in Geevagh,^[1][2] County Sligo, Ireland,^[3] on September 12, 1848. His family came to the United States to escape the Great Famine in 1850.^[4] The family was quarantined on Deer Island in Boston Harbor, and both Patrick's parents died there.^[4] Patrick and his five brothers were separated into different orphanages, adoption agencies, and homes of relatives.^[3][5] Young "P.J.", as he was known, lived with various extended relatives and poor houses, until a wealthy Bostonian agreed to fund his education.^[4]

McCarthy moved to Providence in 1868, then earned a law degree from Harvard University Law School in 1876.^[4]

McCarthy became involved in fraternal and educational societies in the Catholic Church and became known in Providence's growing Irish Catholic community.^[4] McCarthy became a prominent lawyer and served on the City Council and the Rhode Island House of Representatives in the 1890s.^[5]

He ran for the Providence Mayor's office on a progressive reform ticket in 1906, as a long shot candidate.^[5] He was a populist, and attacked the local trolley monopoly, tax policies, and educational barriers.^[4] He was in favor of expanding suffrage.^[4] He was in favor of eight-hour workdays for city workers, retirement pay for teachers, and pensions for police and firefighters.^[3]

The Cranston Street Armory was built during McCarthy's term.^[3]

McCarthy died on March 13, 1921, and he is buried at St. Francis Cemetery, in Pawtucket.^[4] A large, ornate Celtic cross marks his resting place.^[4][5] After his death, the New England elite pointed to McCarthy as an example of how Irish immigrants could succeed in America if they worked hard.^[5]

His portrait in Providence City Hall was restored in 2012, and for a time hung above the mantle in the office of then-mayor Angel Taveras.^[6]

McCarthy was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame in 2008.^[4]