FRANKLIN, Mass. – George E. McCarthy, 80, of Franklin, Mass., died Saturday, Nov. 29, at the Milford Regional Medical Center, following a brief illness. He was the husband of Lorraine E. (Emond) McCarthy.

He was born in Bangor, Jan. 14, 1928, a son of the late George T. and Irene (Chaisson) McCarthy, he had been a resident of Franklin for the past 43 years.

He was raised and educated in Maine, and started his career as a sprinkler fitter and worked in the state of Maine for many years before settling in Massachusetts in the late 1950s. He continued his career in the trade and retired as the business manager in 2004 from the United Association of Sprinkler Fitters and Apprentices Local 550 in Boston, a career that spanned more than 50 years.

He served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, and was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and was honorably discharged in February 1949.

His passion was spending time with his children and grandchildren, his antique automobile, his friends from the “coffee shop,” and playing cards.

He was a member of the Franklin Lodge of Elks and was a communicant of St. Joseph Church in Medway.

In addition to his wife of 53 years, he is survived by a son, James G. McCarthy and his wife, Diane, of North Attleboro, Mass.; three daughters, Brenda C. Blais and her husband, Dean, of North Attleboro, Sheila A. Dennis and her husband, Craig, of Franklin, and Penny M. Bouley and her husband, Ronald, of Holliston; one brother, Edward M. McCarthy of Maine; five sisters, Irene Chipman of Southborough, Dorothy Lussier of Maine, Mary Cavers of Maine, Lorraine Ouellette of Peabody, and Gloria May of Rhode Island; his grandchildren, Tracy, Michelle, Anthony, Michael, Jennifer, Kyle, Haley and Katelyn; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a brother, Richard G. McCarthy; and a sister, Patricia Charest.