Clarence Edward McCarthy Jr., age 37, of Chicago, IL, passed away on April 17, 2022. He was born August 20, 1984 in Elgin, IL to his parents, Clarence McCarthy Sr. and Maxine Drake. Out of love, he was adopted by his loving aunt, Joyce McCarthy-Higgs.

Clarence graduated from Elgin High School. He discovered his knack for cooking at a young age, and attended culinary school. He had great pleasure in working as a chef at NBC in Chicago, IL. Clarence worked at Advocate Aurora Health as an EVS technician until his untimely passing.

Everyone knew Clarence for his very infectious smile. There wasn’t a room he walked into that he didn’t make his presence know, showing nothing but teeth. Although the playful brother, he took on the role of guardian and protector of all his siblings, whom he loved tremendously.

Clarence was preceded in death by his mother, Joyce Ann Marie McCarthy-Higgs; grandfather, CB McCarthy;and cousin, Terron “Bolli” Tomlin.

He leaves to cherish his memory his father, Clarence Edward (Stacie) McCarthy Sr. of Rockford, IL; birth mother, Maxine Drake, of Elgin, IL; grandmothers, Helen McCarthy of Aurora, IL and Mary Drake of Elgin, IL; siblings, Shamekin Higgs And Helen McCarthy-Evans, both of Junction City, KS, Taniqua (Justin) Surles and Alexis McCarthy, both of Machesney Park, IL, Krystal McCarthy of East Moline, IL, Shakeisha Drake of Carpentersville, IL, Lamont Turner of South Elgin, IL, Sheron “Cartwright” Drake of Waukegan, IL, and Deshawn Woods of Carol Stream, IL; godmother and aunt, Gloria McCarthy; sister-in-love, Robin Reusch; godsister, Robin Stephens; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be 10:00am until funeral service at 11:00am, Friday, May 6, 2022 at Symonds-Madison Funeral Home, 305 Park Street, Elgin, IL 60120.

Mourners are encouraged to review the funeral home COVID-19 public health policies ahead of time.

To access the visitation remotely, loved ones are encouraged to log on safe from home via Zoom.us (Meeting ID: 839 7939 0178, Password: 059330).

Interment to follow at Bluff City Cemetery, 945 Bluff City Boulevard, Elgin, IL 60120.

Final arrangements entrusted to Symonds-Madison Funeral Home. For more information, call 847-741-1128 or visit www.symondsmadison.com.