Hiller Patrick “Mac” McCartin, Jr. died peacefully at home on October 15th, 2012 after a courageous battle with cancer. Mac was born in Baltimore, Maryland on January 21, 1941. He attended high school at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and graduated in 1959. While in high school, he earned his Eagle Scout badge and played both junior varsity and varsity football. Mac then attended the University of Maryland and studied Civil Engineering while being an Air Force ROTC candidate. He graduated in 1963 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering and was subsequently commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. Mac was a distinguished member of U.S. Air Force from 1963-1985. He attended pilot training and went on to fly the F-4C, RF-4C, and the T-37 as a flight instructor. He flew 293 combat missions in Vietnam and Thailand. During his military career, Mac was awarded the following decorations: The Defense Superior Service Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, 16 Air Medals, and an Army Commendation Medal. After retiring from the Air Force in 1985, Mac went to work for GTE Governments Systems and General Dynamics before retiring from defense contracting in 2003. It was then that Mac found a passion for volunteering and became a tireless advocate for those suffering from substance abuse, mental illness, and veterans in need. He served as the Chairman of the Derry Friendship Center, a facility that hosts approximately 20 recovery meetings per week, including AA and NA. Through Mac’s leadership, strength, and compassion, the Center has literally helped hundreds of men, women, and families through recovery. Mac has also been an active member of the Londonderry Presbyterian Church and the Londonderry Rotary Club, Board of Directors. In 2010, he helped to create a partnership between his church, the Londonderry Rotary, and the Derry Friendship Center to form the Avery Center of Londonderry. The Avery Center hosts AA, Al-anon, NAMI Family support groups, Recovery Coaching, and other 12-Step programs with a focus on women, youth, and families. In 2011, through Mac’s leadership, a Recovery Program for “at-risk” youth was started within the Londonderry High School. Mac has had a long-standing involvement with the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) NH as an advocate for people with mental illness. He also served as the NH representative to the NAMI Veterans and Military Council. In 2011, Mac started the Vet-to-Vet Program which is a peer driven support group where veterans can help one another. Today there are seven Vet-to-Vet groups throughout the state and the number continues to grow. Mac’s dedication, perseverance, and passion to serve New Hampshire Veterans have been a driving force behind the NH Vet-to-Vet Program. Mac also served on the NH Bureau of Behavioral Health Advisory Council and volunteered at the New Hampshire Hospital in Concord. In 2012, NAMI awarded Mac the Community Organizer of the Year. Over the years, Mac’s contributions to the community were nothing less than stellar and his model of “paying it forward” was something that we should all aspire towards. In every way that Mac’s own life had been touched, he tried to give back and be the bridge “from the need, to the solution.” Mac enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling with his wife Carroll, and he was most content on his boat on Lake Winnipesauke. Mac was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He will be missed by all who knew him. He set a powerful example of character, integrity, and the importance of helping others in need. Mac is predeceased by his parents Hiller P. McCartin, Sr. and Dorothy Standiford McCartin, both of Baltimore. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Carroll McCartin of Londonderry, NH; his son John P. McCartin and his wife Rochelle of Atlanta, GA; his daughter Kathleen A. McMahon of Londonderry, NH; his granddaughter Hadley McCartin and his two grandsons David and Joseph McMahon. The family would like to sincerely thank the staff of the Norris Cotton Cancer Center in Nashua for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Derry Friendship Center, 45 East Broadway, Derry, NH 03038. Services: Calling hours will be held on Sunday October 21st from 1-5 pm at the Peabody Funeral Home and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry, NH. A memorial service will be held October 22nd at 10am at the Londonderry Presbyterian Church, 126 Pillsbury Rd., Londonderry, NH. Burial will conclude services at 2pm at the NH Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway Rte. 3, Boscawen, NH 03303.
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