When you hear the name Patrick McCarthy Lebanon NH, it hits differently depending on who you’re talking to. For some, it brings up memories of a guy who was the life of the party at Halls Lake, a dad who lived for his young son, and a neighbor who’d modify a bucket truck just to help a local coach. For others, it’s a name tied to a complex, messy legal investigation that rocked the City of Lebanon's Public Works department.
The truth? It’s both. And honestly, that’s what makes this story so heavy. Life in a small town like Lebanon isn't usually headline news, but the events surrounding Patrick McCarthy have left a permanent mark on the community.
Who Was Patrick McCarthy?
Basically, Pat was a local through and through. Born in 1986, he was a Lebanon High grad (Class of 2004) who stayed put to build a life in the Upper Valley. He wasn't some corporate executive sitting in an office; he was a guy who worked with his hands. He spent years at Ricker Funeral Home and eventually landed a gig with the City of Lebanon.
By the time 2024 rolled around, he had climbed the ladder to become the Maintenance Manager for the Public Works Department. Before that, he’d been the supervisor for the Cemetery Department. If you walked through the local municipal cemeteries, you were looking at his handiwork—or at least the work of the crew he managed.
On the surface, things looked great. He married his wife, Carli, in 2022. They had a son, Bodie, in late 2023. He was even the President of the Halls Lake Association. He was the guy you called for home improvements or a tractor ride. But beneath that "pillar of the community" image, a storm was brewing.
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The Public Works Investigation
In late 2024, the City of Lebanon released a massive, 550-page report. It wasn't pretty. The document alleged that Patrick McCarthy had been using his position—and taxpayer money—to fund a side landscaping business and personal projects.
According to the internal investigation, this wasn't just a one-time thing. The report claimed that since 2021, McCarthy had been:
- Using city equipment for private landscaping jobs.
- Buying materials on the city's dime for his own use.
- Working on personal projects during his regular city shifts.
- Offering an "oil undercoating" service to other employees' cars using $944 worth of city-purchased oil.
There’s a specific detail in the report that sounds almost like a movie plot. Investigators found a barbecue smoker at his property. The catch? It was allegedly built using scrap steel and equipment belonging to the city. They also found a snowplow, chainsaws, and even a fuel tank.
A Community Divided by Grief and Facts
It’s easy to look at a police report and see a villain. But in Lebanon, it's more complicated. Patrick McCarthy died by suicide at Storrs Hill Ski Area on October 16, 2024, just as the investigation was coming to a head. He was only 38.
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His death left the community in a weird spot. You had the city officials trying to account for $13,620 in missing funds and assets, and then you had a family—a wife and a baby—left behind in the wake of a tragedy.
His obituary doesn't mention the investigation. It talks about a man who loved bird hunting with his uncle, boating in the summer, and working on a golf cart with his son. It mentions how he "benefited everyone on Halls Lake with his energy."
Some people in town feel betrayed by the alleged theft of public funds. Others feel that the city was too heavy-handed or that the human cost of the investigation was too high. It’s a classic small-town divide where the person everyone knew doesn't match the person described in the legal filings.
What Most People Get Wrong
One big misconception is that the "higher-ups" were in on it. The city's report actually cleared the Public Works Director and Assistant Director of any criminal behavior. It basically said that the purchases McCarthy made looked "reasonable" on paper, which is how it went undetected for so long.
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Another thing? There were other people involved. Two other employees were mentioned in the report for doing "side work" installing headstone foundations—something the city had officially stopped doing because of staffing shortages. McCarthy supposedly told families the city couldn't do the work, then sent his guys to do it privately using city tools.
Why This Still Matters in Lebanon
This wasn't just about a few missing lawnmowers. It changed how the city operates. There’s now a much tighter leash on how gas cards are used and how equipment is tracked.
But for the average person in Lebanon, the name Patrick McCarthy is a reminder of how quickly a life can unravel. You’ve got the legacy of a "good guy" who was always there to help, contrasted with the reality of a 550-page theft report. Both are part of the record now.
Actionable Insights for the Community
If you're following this story or live in the Upper Valley, here is what you can actually do with this information:
- Support Local Mental Health: Tragedies like this highlight the invisible pressures people face. Organizations like West Central Behavioral Health provide local resources for those in crisis.
- Understand Municipal Oversight: If you’re a taxpayer, it’s worth looking at the City Council minutes. The fallout from this case led to significant changes in how Lebanon manages its assets. Transparency only happens when people pay attention.
- Separate the Person from the Act: It is possible to acknowledge that someone did something wrong while still supporting a grieving family. The McCarthy family, especially his young son, are the ones dealing with the long-term aftermath.
- Check the Facts: Before repeating town rumors, read the actual investigative report available through the City of Lebanon’s "News Flash" archives. It provides the most concrete data on what was actually found.
The story of Patrick McCarthy in Lebanon, NH, is a tragedy in every sense of the word—a loss of public trust, a loss of a career, and ultimately, the loss of a life. It serves as a stark reminder that the people we see every day often have layers we know nothing about.
Next Steps: You can review the full archived "City Concludes Internal Investigation into Theft" report on the official Lebanon NH CivicEngage website to see the specific policy changes implemented after October 2024.