A good man is not hard to find in Tinton Falls
John McCarthy's 40 years of volunteer service is recognized
BY LINDA DeNICOLA
Staff Writer

John McCarthy accepts his Outstanding Volunteer Award from Assemblyman Steven Corodemus.

TINTON FALLS - - There is a Jewish saying that states "Good men need no recommendation." But it is also a fact that sometimes, it is nice to get some recognition.

On April 19, the Volunteer Center of Monmouth County recognized John McCarthy with its 2007 Outstanding Volunteer Community Service Recognition Award.

The Tinton Falls resident received the award from State Assemblyman Steve Corodemus on April 19 during a lunch celebration at Branches in West Long Branch.

The McCarthys moved to Tinton Falls from Essex County in 1964. John and his wife, Eileen, have been married for 57 years and raised three children in a house on Riveredge Road in the northern section of the borough.

McCarthy said he belonged to the first aid squad in Essex County so when he moved to the borough, he joined the Tinton Falls squad.

He explained that he was motivated to join the first aid squad in Essex when they responded to a call to his house during an emergency.

"I wondered how these guys got trained. I saw that there was a need for squad members," he said, adding, "It was very rewarding."

McCarthy is retired now, but during his working years, he was a vice president of a life insurance company located in Newark. Since his work wasn't local, he was on call at night.

McCarthy was awarded the Katherine Elkus White Volunteerism Award for over 40 years of dedicated volunteer service to the borough of Tinton Falls as a member of the Tinton Falls Emergency Medical Services - North. He has held the position of captain on three separate occasions and, at 86 years of age, still responds to over 50 percent of all emergency calls in the borough.

It was noted during the award ceremony, that McCarthy never balked at leaving Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner or waking at 3 a.m. when the call for help came.

"I am still riding on Sunday nights," he said.

In addition to going out on calls for over 30 years, McCarthy has traveled to Bloomfield, one night per week and volunteered with their first aid squad.

When he was on the squad in Essex, he said he saw a lot of motorcycle accidents and an occasional shooting. In Tinton Falls, the calls are usually heart attacks, strokes and motor vehicle accidents.

"I did deliver two babies, but that was a long time ago," he said.

McCarthy said he would encourage people to join the squad, but he knows how hard it is for people who commute to work or hold two jobs.

"There is a shortage of volunteers. It takes a fair amount of training."

He still serves as the squad treasurer, has been an officer for the last 20 years and is responsible for making sure the ambulances are maintained in proper operating condition.

During the award presentation, it was noted that McCarthy has helped to build the organization from its infancy to a strong and reliable unit.

Arlene Saltz, manager of the Volunteer Center of Monmouth County and a Tinton Falls resident, said, "John has instilled pride and a sense of responsibility in every member that has been a part of the organization over the years and he has helped to build a tradition to ensure that sense of dedication will continue long past his time with us."

She added, "We, and the entire Tinton Falls community, are lucky to have John within our ranks and we shall be eternally grateful for his dedication, his spirit and his unending desire to assist those in need."

Councilman Brendan Tobin, who has known McCarthy for years, said, "The award is yet another well-deserved, formal recognition of his lifelong commitment and devotion to Tinton Falls and to our squad."