McCarthy served as director of the Pueblo Fair Association and his most significant accomplishment as senator was his co-sponsorship of a bill to bring the state fair to Pueblo.  This annual event has a significant impact on the local economy.  In business, McCarthy developed what became the largest wholesale and retail dealer in paint, oils, glass, and wallpaper in the Southern Colorado.  In approximately 1990, the McCarthy house was demolished following unsuccessful attempts to develop and implement a stabilization and rehabilitation plan.