Publications & Sites 
Friends, family of GBN alumnus Ryan McCarthy shocked at death
Smiles shine through a fog machine: Ryan McCarthy, Alison Alcazar, Jessica Steinberg, Rachel Katz, Abbie Kolber, Alexa Hilgendorf and Heidi Pearson at the Logan Square Auditorium. | Karie Angell Luc~For Sun-Times Media
Updated: August 6, 2012 6:25AM
Ryan McCarthy, 20, a 2010 graduate of Glenbrook High School, died June 27 at his Northbrook home on the 1800 block of Glendale Avenue.
Paul Pryma, principal of Glenbrook North, said the entire high school community is saddened by his death.
“Ryan was known for playing lacrosse during his years here. He had been attending Oakton Community College since he left and had plans to attend the University of Kentucky in the fall,” Pryma said.“Our love and prayers go to his family.”
A report from the Cook County Medical Examiner on McCarthy’s death is pending. His death was listed in last week report as from “unknown causes.”
McCarthy, was the son of Dennis McCarthy and Lori McLeod, brother Jack McCarthy, and step-son of Marilyn McCarthy and Floyd McLeod. He also was the grandson of Jack and Virginia McCarthy; and Alden and Jean Olson. He had many aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends.
McCarthy worked for Larry Goodman, general manager of Marcello’s Restaurant, for about a year and a half delivering orders while attending Oakton.
“He was a very nice kid. I just saw him Monday while he was working here and everything seemed totally fine. He was a quiet kid who came to work, did his job and never caused a problem.
“I’m shocked. It’s a messed up world we live in,” he added.
Melissa Morreale, a Northbrook resident who knew McCarthy, because her daughter, Jenna, had attended school with him from grammar school through Oakton college, said McCarthy’s death was a real loss.
“I don’t understand it. He was tall, good looking, popular and had a girlfriend,” Morreale said.
Jenna noted that McCarthy was not someone she ever would have thought would die young.
“We not only went to school since grammar school, but we were in the same psychology class at Oakton,” Jenna said.
“He was always a happy guy and had a lot of friends. He would always go out of his way to say ‘Hello!’ if he knew you and saw you in the hallway.”
Visitation for McCarthy, 20, of Northbrook, who died at his Northbrook is from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at St. Norbert Church, 1809 Walters Ave.
A funeral mass also will be held there at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
In lieu of flowers, MCarthy’s family has asked that those who cared about him keep him in their thoughts and prayers.
