David Daniel McCarthy, 51

David D. McCarthy, 51, of Missoula passed peacefully Nov. 3, 2008, at his home surrounded by his wife and daughters.

Dave was born Sept. 9, 1957, in Bridgeport, Conn. His enviable "back East" childhood was full of great memories. He was surrounded by a close-knit community with lifelong friends. He often spoke of Yankee games with his uncles, cousins and brother.

After graduating from Notre Dame Parochial High School in 1978, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. He was stationed in the South Pacific where he met his first wife, Lourdes.

After his discharge from the Corps, he relocated to Anaconda where his two beautiful daughters were born. Like any exceptional father, his children, Victoria and Raquel, were his pride and joy.

Dave's life centered around three passions -- family, corrections, and power-lifting. He enjoyed pushing his physical abilities to the limit. He took up hockey at 40 and maintained avid weightlifting for 37 years. Dave competed in many regional meets, and held records in both the dead lift and the squat in the Master's Division. Six months prior to his death, he still was able to bench 290 pounds while receiving immunotherapy twice a week.

He spent 30 years working for the state of Montana Department of Corrections. In August 1978, he was hired as a correctional officer at Montana State Prison. He moved up the ranks and resigned in 1991 as a shift lieutenant.

He enrolled in college and completed a four-year degree with a double major in political science and sociology in less than three years. After graduation, he was employed as a drill instructor at the Swan River Correctional Training Center. Shortly thereafter, Dave was hired as a parole officer in Kalispell. In 1999, he transferred to the Missoula office and retired as the Region I administrator for probation and parole.

Those who knew him can attest to his tenacity in his fight against "The Big C." It began with the removal of his right kidney in 2002. The next six years were filled with extensive treatments, risky therapies and dangerous surgeries. The combination of being physically fit and having a stubborn 100 percent Irish soul provided him with 15 months of remission. He was a true inspiration for anyone battling cancer.

Dave was preceded in death by his father, Daniel; his uncle, John McCarthy, and Steve and Dorothy Csizmar, and his nephew, Keith McCarthy.

Many of his surviving family remain in Connecticut, including his mother, Mildred; his aunt, Rose (McCarthy); his brother, Tim; sister-in-law, Lisa; niece, Randi; and cousins, Jimmy, Marilyn, Kevin, Arlene, Linda and Nancy.

He also is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Mary Helen Kassel. The couple met "in prison" in 1988 and complimented each other for more than 20 years. Together they shared three grown children -- daughters, Victoria and Raquel; son, Lance, and daughter-in-law, Carmen; four grandchildren, Taylor, Ryan, Nicole, and the latest addition, 6-month-old Daphne Maria. Dave also leaves behind two well-trained and obedient beagles, Barnaby and McKenzie.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at Missoula Missionary Alliance Church, with Chaplain Bill Wohlers officiating. A luncheon will be afterward at the same location. Please bring your best "Mac" story so we can reminisce and celebrate his life. His wit and sense of humor were next to none.

Because Dave came to appreciate the importance of higher education, a college fund has been established at Wells-Fargo Bank of Montana for his granddaughter, Daphne Maria Padron-McCarthy.