Born in Taos, New Mexico, on June 26, 1937, to John Francis McCarthy and Nan C. (O'Keefe) McCarthy, Charles J. McCarthy passed away on June 2, 2023, in Northbrook, Illinois.

Charlie was the middle child of five children, John (Jack), Jr., (Kathleen), Tom (Barbara, deceased), Jim (Evie) and Mary Ann, all of whom survive him. Charlie is survived by Mary Jane McCarthy (Close), his wife of 61 years, and by their children Maureen Wilde (Art), Colleen Aufderheide (Mike), Bridget Besgen (Bill) and Brendan McCarthy (Kate); and by 10 grandchildren, who have played a significant role in their lives. He was predeceased by son Dan, who passed away in 2016.

Charlie attended St. Joseph elementary school in Taos, graduated in 1955 from Maur Hill Prep School in Atchison, Kansas, received his undergraduate degree (cum laude) in 1959 from Regis University, Denver, Colorado, and in 1962, he was awarded a LLM degree from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, where he served on its Law Review. Upon graduation, he commenced employment at Jenner & Block, a leading law firm in Chicago, where he remained for 42 years until his retirement in 2004. Charlie was described as having counseled the firm's clients "with great distinction through complicated transactions; was the epitome of a team player, a wise mentor and a compassionate and caring person who served as a model for all." Charlie's early years were spent shining shoes on the Taos Plaza, roaming the nearby mountains, helping on his Uncle George's ranch in Los Cordovas, where he especially enjoyed raising and riding horses with his son Dan. He also helped George drive cattle from the ranch to the Palo Flechado area where Charlie spent a summer in a small cabin looking after the cattle. Grounded in faith, Charlie's Catholic education was the foundation for his academic, athletic, and entrepreneurial pursuits.