Brian Francis McCarthy, 63, of Bristol, RI, passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 after a brief illness. A son of the late William J. and Agnes E. (Ryder) McCarthy, Brian was a lifelong resident of Bristol, RI.

Brian is survived by his sisters and brothers, Barbara Rawson (David), William McCarthy (Carol) Elizabeth McCarthy, Marian McCarthy, Joseph McCarthy (Rose), Jonathan McCarthy (Beth), Gregory McCarthy, Cynthia Cole (Bill), Kevin McCarthy, Lisa Klorer (John) and his many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Virginia Conway, Christopher McCarthy, Elaine Bouthiette and the uncle of the late Glenn Conway.

He worked at Technic Inc. for 36 years, was an active member of the Ever-Ready Engine and Hose Company Number 2 for 44 years and a member of Engine 4 “Fog Squad” for 39 years. He was a Driver of Engine 2 and was a past Captain and 1st Driver of Engine 4. Being involved as a volunteer was part of who Brian was, especially while at the helm cooking for various social events and outings for the Bristol Fire Department.

Brian believed in leisure and soaking up the wonder of his surroundings but he was also a hard worker from the start as a paperboy, and score keeper at the softball games on the Bristol Town Common in his youth. He worked at Premier Thread while earning an Electrical Engineering degree from Roger Williams College. He valued education and instilled that in anyone who would listen.

Brian was one of a kind. He had a sharp and creative mind. He had a gift for bringing people together. He was a story teller and maker of fun.

Brian questioned everything and when he was very young our parents gave him a thick book called “Tell Me Why” which helped answer some of those questions. He went to Multi Unit School which served him well and allowed his imagination to grow. He was a searcher of solutions big and small; from his contraption to help his sweet bread rise in the cold winter months, to his pondering our planet and the cosmos. He was a master of pools including his Survivor Pool where he created games within the game. He created his own sous vide cooker, “the carnival” twisting wire game and the coin pusher, chowder and clam cakes for 50 plus more, fantastical stories for his nieces and nephews and so much more.

He touched people with his generosity and caring soul. He wanted the best for everyone and he did not shy away from telling you how to get there; he truly wanted to help others to believe in themselves and for everyone to be able to live their best life.

Brian loved his friends, family, holiday traditions, making pie with our Mom, summer, the 4th of July, Colt State Park, sitting on the porch, and his hometown of Bristol, RI. He would often say, “I live in God’s Country why would I ever leave?!”

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Brian's name to a charity of your choice.