Your Turn/Martin McCarthy

Published 9:37 am Monday, June 22, 2026

When I was a kid, I wanted to be … I loved watching “MASH” with my brother, so I thought I wanted to be a surgeon. I did not.

What would you rather be doing right now? Playing tennis, though I play three or four times a week and am not sure my body could take more.

Shhhhhh! Don’t tell anyone that … I’m a closet introvert. I often show up as an extrovert, but need a walk alone with my dog to recharge.

Other than your wedding day and/or the birth of your children, what was your proudest moment? Finishing the Big Sur Marathon (One of the hilliest in the world).

It really stinks when … people are rude for no reason.

What word in the dictionary would your face be next to? Determined. (My wife would say stubborn.)

I always laugh when … people say or do something clever and completely unexpected.

Invite any three people, living or dead, to dinner. Who are they? Jesus, Gandhi, the current Pope. It would be fascinating, and I’d just listen.

At the end of a really long day at work, I like to … chill at home with my wife and dog.

People who knew me in high school thought I was … I hung out with some of the cool kids, but didn’t think of myself as a cook kid, at all.

My most unforgettable brush with greatness was … I recently played tennis against a former NFL wide receiver, unbeknownst to me at the time. It ended how you might expect, but we had fun, and he was super down to earth.

I would drop all my plans tonight if I had the chance to … go to dinner with the three people above.

If someone gave me a million dollars, there is STILL no way I would … betray my values.

America should be more concerned about … taking care of each other and getting fired up about what we agree on, not what we disagree on.

I’m OK if there’s ever a national shortage of … tennis shoes. I’m reluctant to throw the old ones out.

When I’m on the Internet, I always go to … Netflix. I try to avoid too much news, but it’s hard. I usually start with news and then try to escape it with something lighter.

What is the most useful piece of advice you have ever received? Be the person your dog thinks you are. It was in a cafe on the beach. It made me smile and stuck with me.

When I’m cruising down the road, I’m likely listening to … oldies or ‘80s, which are now, sadly, oldies.

I always get sentimental when … I see pictures of my kids when they were young. You can see their essence etched in their faces.

The older I get, the more I realize … we worry a lot about things that never actually happen.

If I had one “do-over,” I would … play the wide receiver in tennis again. I think I could get him next time.

My favorite item of clothing is … a T-shirt that says “Keep it simple” with an image of nature.

If I’ve learned anything at all … none of us will be on our deathbeds wishing we had spent more time online.

Martin McCarthy, 58, grew up in the Chicago area in a large Irish-Catholic family. His wife Melisa is from Quincy, and the couple, who have two adult sons in their 20s, moved here six years ago to be closer to extended family. McCarthy’s career has been in the areas of talent and leadership development for all types of organizations. He currently does leadership and community work with the Tracy Family Foundation and John Wood Community College and serves on the boards of the Friends of the Lorenzo Bull House and Quincy Art Center.