J. Thomas McCarthy; Attorney, Philanthropist

J. Thomas McCarthy, an attorney and philanthropist who chaired the Thomas and Dorothy Leavy Foundation, died of cancer Wednesday at his home in Westwood. He was 63.

McCarthy took the helm of the foundation in 1980 after the death of his father-in-law, Thomas Leavy, a co-founder of Farmers Insurance. The foundation has given more than $100 million to Southern California educational, medical and Catholic institutions.

Like Leavy, McCarthy directed the philanthropy quietly, declining to state how many millions of dollars went to which cause.

“It would embarrass them and embarrass us,” he told The Times in 1994.

A native of Santa Monica, McCarthy earned his undergraduate and law degrees at USC where he met his wife, 1954 USC homecoming queen Kathleen Leavy. McCarthy was an active alumnus and USC donor throughout his life.

He was a partner in the law firm of Bodkin, McCarthy, Sargeant & Smith and served on the board of counselors of USC Law School.

McCarthy also was a board member of Farmers Group Inc., Georgetown University, Santa Clara University, Mount St. Mary’s College, Marymount High School and California Hospital Medical Center. He was a familiar master of ceremonies at Las Madrinas’ annual debutante ball benefiting Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles.

A devoted Catholic, he also was a knight of Malta and of St. Gregory.

In addition to his wife, McCarthy is survived by his mother, Jeanette McCarthy; daughters Colleen McCarthy and Kathleen Duncan of Los Angeles; two sons, Michael and John, and six grandchildren.

Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Westwood.

The family has asked that any memorial donations be made to the Norris Cancer Center of USC, the USC Athletic Department, California Hospital Medical Center, Loyola High School or Marymount High School.