Thomas W. McCarthy

Thomas W. “Bill” McCarthy, 83, of Vermilion, passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at Mercy Regional Medical Center following a brief illness.

Bill was born January 10, 1943, in Elyria, Ohio, and had been a Vermilion resident for the past 50 years after moving from Oberlin.

A proud U.S. Army veteran, Bill dedicated more than 35 years to the Vermilion Port Authority. He began his career as a dockmaster and soon took on the role of Port Operations Manager, overseeing a seasonal staff of six. During his tenure, Bill played an instrumental role in the redevelopment of the McGarvey’s Landing boardwalk and dock facilities, as well as the renovation of the Water Works transient marina.

His true passion, however, was managing Vermilion’s public boat ramp. His dedication to the ramp was so well known that even his license plate read “Rampem.” Bill was also instrumental in supervising the painting of the Vermilion water tower and holds the distinction of being the oldest person to climb to the top to relamp its navigational beacon.

For more than 20 years, Bill owned and operated Vermilion Arctic Cat. Earlier in his career, he served as an ambulance driver for Oberlin Hospital and was a member of the Vermilion Marine Patrol. During the winter months, he enjoyed working construction in Florida.

Bill was deeply devoted to the City of Vermilion and especially to the Port Authority, where he could often be found with his beloved dogs, Sailor and Hemingway, by his side. He was an active member of the community and volunteered with the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce at the Fish Festival Crazy Craft Race and Lighted Boat Parade. He also supported Main Street Vermilion, helping with the Christmas Tree Ship event and various Vermilion in Bloom projects.

Bill was honored by the community when he was chosen to ride on the famous Budweiser Clydesdale beer wagon in the parade-an experience that perfectly suited his larger-than-life personality.

He was a member of VFW Post #7576. Bill loved being on the water, building miniature model houses, tinkering in his garage, and snowmobiling in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. He enjoyed four-wheeling throughout the Midwest with friends and spending his winters in the Florida Keys, especially Islamorada and Marathon.

Bill had a wonderful sense of humor and loved being the life of the party. He was always willing to lend a helping hand and was the kind of person who would give the shirt off his back to someone in need. His fun-loving personality, countless stories, and memorable antics brought laughter and entertainment to all who knew him.

Bill is survived by his daughters, Susan (Chad) Cheek of Monroeville and Michelle (Doug) Reer of Collins; grandchildren, Eric Reer, Madison Shullick, and Evan Cheek; four great-grandchildren; and his sister, Alice "San" Robertson of Oberlin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Alice (nee Johnson) McCarthy, and his sister, Ellen Bragg.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at Germans Villa on Sunday, October 25, 2026, from noon until 5:00 p.m.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Vermilion Port Authority.

Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.