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Pierce County Superior Court Judge John McCarthy announced in September he would retire before the end of this year (see “Pierce County Judge McCarthy to retire,” Tacoma Daily Index, Sept. 16, 2014).

McCarthy, 65, served as a judge for over 22 years — five years in Pierce County District Court, and the last 18 years with Superior Court. Before joining the bench, he served as an elected member of the Port of Tacoma Commission from 1983 to 1992.

“It has been an honor to serve the people of Pierce County and Washington State for the past 30 years,” said McCarthy, who officially retired on Mon., Dec. 1. His term on the bench expired at the end of 2016. “I truly appreciate the opportunities I have had to support the administration of justice, which is a bedrock of our society.”

McCarthy is a graduate of Tacoma’s Bellarmine Preparatory School and received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2012. He continues to officiate youth and high school football and basketball and has done so for over 17 years. He also volunteers in Mount Rainier National Park.

He is married to Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy. They have four adult children and nine grandchildren.

Judge McCarthy took a leave of absence earlier this year to be treated for cancer.

“My family and I appreciated all of the well-wishers during my recent treatment for cancer,” said McCarthy. “I am happy to say that my doctors have given me a clean bill of health and I can call myself a cancer survivor. Now I’m anxious to spend more time with my grandchildren and pursue some other interests.”

Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy (left) was sworn in on Jan. 2, 2009, by Washington State Supreme Court Justice Charles W. Johnson (center) and (right) Pierce County Superior Court Judge John A. McCarthy. (PHOTO COURTESY PIERCE COUNTY)