Robert Thomas McCarthy Jr. passed away suddenly Feb. 25, 2013, at Kootenai Medical Center, Coeur d’Alene. Robert was born on Aug. 19, 1955, in Syracuse, N.Y., to Robert T. and MaryAnn McCarthy.

He grew up in Syracuse and graduated from Corcoran High School. He trained as a mechanical insulator in Local 30 International Association of Heat & Frost Insulators & Allied Workers of Syracuse. He worked in industrial and commercial sites throughout the Northeast and Midwest. He married Rhonda Parsons in 1989. They started their life together in Oswego, N.Y. Their mutual love of cooking, the outdoors, farmers markets and all things made of wood were part of their lives as they welcomed their girls into their lives. Monique Renae was born on Oct. 31, 1990, followed three years later by Desiree Ariana’s birth on Oct. 3, 1993.

They headed Northwest in 2000 to join Rhonda’s family who settled in Idaho. They built their home in 2002 on three acres in Rathdrum with the help of family and friends. Hiking, ATVs, fishing, camping, kayaking, barbecued food and bonfires were part of how they enjoyed life. He continued to work as an insulator for Local 7 (Seattle). Recently, he mentioned to Rhonda that he had worked in 25 of our 50 states.

Bob’s tenderness, good-heartedness and eagerness to help are what we will miss. He loved to hear what you were up to. You’d find yourself sitting with him and not wanting to leave. Current events, the value of the America workforce, and being a good steward of the land are issues he’d like to talk about. His generosity, engineering mind, curiosity and skills to fix and make anything are qualities that all of us felt from him. But to Bob, his greatest accomplishments were his daughters, Monique and Desiree. He was very proud of who they are.

He’s survived by his loving wife, Rhonda (Parsons) McCarthy; daughters, Monique McCarthy and Desiree McCarthy of Rathdrum; loving parents, Robert T. and MaryAnn McCarthy; brothers, Kevin (Nancy Donaldson) and John; sisters, Deborah (William Moran) of Syracuse and Kathleen (Manuel Verdugo) of Pasadena, Calif. He leaves behind several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and their children; Jonathan who was like a son; best friend Paulie; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nephews, union brothers, and many friends who love to say that “Bob is a friend of mine.”

Prayers at the graveside were held on Friday, March 1, 2013, at Evergreen Cemetery in Post Falls. A Mass in Bob’s honor will be held in Syracuse for his East Coast family at a date to be scheduled. Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel, was entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Bob’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.