THE funeral of a gifted Irish athlete who died in a car accident in the US on Valentine's Day will take place tomorrow.
Originally from Kinsale in Co. Cork, Jamie McCarthy died in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on February 14.
Over €18,000 has been raised in his memory to date via Go Fund Me, while the Jamie McCarthy Memorial Mile Fun Run is due to take place on St Patrick's Day in Myrtle Beach.
The 33-year-old had been living in the US with his girlfriend Cristina Martinescu at the time of his death.
The pair had been driving home from dinner when the crash took place.
Athletics Ireland is saddened to learn of the untimely passing of Jamie McCarthy. Jamie was part of the silver winning Junior Men's Euro Cross Country Team in 2004. Our condolences to his family. RIP
Posted by Athletics Ireland on Saturday, February 17, 2018
"Before this tragic event took place Jamie was living a wonderful life with his girlfriend Cristina, there puppy Archie and a wide community friends and colleagues," Michelle McCarthy Masih said in a statement on the fundraising page said.
"We would love to give Jamie the send off he deserves in both his homes, America and Ireland.
"However, the costs of travel and the funeral are quite substantial so we have made this page in an effort to lesson the burden on the family.
"All donations would be deeply appreciated and will be going to fund Jamie's memorial services and his families travel to Myrtle Beach.
"Any additional fund's will be donated towards a repatriation charity to aid other families in similar situations.
It added: "He was, and will remain in our in our hearts; the most positive and inspiring person you could hope to meet and we are devastated that he has left us so soon."
Described as a gifted athlete, Mr McCarthy won a scholarship to South Carolina and attended Coastal Carolina University.
After graduating in 2011, the cross country runner began his career as an insurance broker.
His funeral had been postponed due to last week's bad weather.
The Irishman's funeral will now take place on Wednesday, March 7 at St John the Baptist Church in Kinsale followed by private cremation.
The McCarthy family have asked for donations in lieu of flowers to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.
See More: Jamie McCarthy, South Carolina, USA
