Thomas L. McCarty was named as the recipient of the YMCA of Parkersburg’s 2017 Edwin L.D. Dils Heart of Our Community Award. Among family present for the award Tuesday were, from left, back row, sons Nick McCarty and Tommy McCarty and front, wife, Leta McCarty, and daughter Erin Collie. (Photo by Jeffrey Saulton)

VIENNA — Thomas L. McCarty would have been humbled by receiving the YMCA of Parkersburg’s 2017 Edwin L.D. Dils Heart of Our Community Award, his wife, Leta, said Tuesday at the Parkersburg Country Club.

The Heart of Our Community Award, presented at the YMCA’s dinner, recognizes exemplary community service, which benefits all area residents.

“He was a staunch supporter of the Y for many years and worked for many other agencies, especially for the Parkersburg Catholic School System,” Leta McCarty said. “We are continuing to support both of those groups.”

Thomas McCarty passed away in May 2015.

His son Tommy McCarty said there were other organizations he worked with in the community. He and his family were active at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church parish and he served on the parish council, the local Catholic Board of Education, the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese Board of Education, chaired a capital campaign for the Catholic Schools and was awarded the Distinguished Bishop’s Cross by the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese

Leta said her husband preferred his work to be done without fanfare.

“He did a lot of work very quietly and would like to keep it that way,” she said.

Leta McCarty said she was surprised her husband was the award recipient and knew he would feel the same.

His son Nick McCarty said the award was an honor.

“He left quite a legacy,” he said.

“It is awesome to see the support that’s here for the YMCA and the number of people who turned out tonight,” said Tommy McCarty. “We’ve been to several of these and there is always a good turnout.”

Thomas McCarty, a native of Grove City, Ohio, was the eldest of four children. He graduated from Bishop Rosencrans High School, attended Ohio University and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. In 1980 he went into business with a partner forming Architectural Interior Projects Inc. in Vienna. In 1997 he became the sole owner and president of AIP.