Liam M. McCarty-Dick

March 15, 1996 — October 18, 2023

Madison

Liam Martin McCarty-Dick, age 27, passed away on October 18, 2023, at his home in Madison, Wisconsin. He was born in Chicago on March 15, 1996, to William Dick and Maureen McCarty. Liam grew up primarily in Wisconsin, where he attended school in the Monona Grove School District and graduated in 2014. He had the unique experience of living with grandparents in both his homes: his grandfather Donald McCarty in Monona and his step-grandmother Nancy Schneider in Chicago. All of his grandparents cherished him unconditionally. After high school, Liam studied music and theatre at Lawrence University. He developed lasting friendships with many who mourn his passing so soon.

Music was Liam's great passion. His first love was drumming, but he was truly a multi-instrumentalist.  Liam relished learning and playing guitar, electric bass, synthesizer, violin, saxophone, electronic music, and numerous percussion instruments. With friends from college, he performed and recorded in the band, The Goat Wizard. He also played with the Irish band O'Darby - the music styles he gravitated toward were vast. Liam's creativity and spirit also shined through in the theatre, where he acted with nuance and sincerity.

 Liam had an open tenderness. He was highly clued into people, was expressive with his feelings, and was open and candid with others. Liam was especially warm and compassionate with strangers. While working on State Street, he became well acquainted with many of the unhoused people in downtown Madison, often sharing food and conversation.  He cared deeply about treating people well. 

His generosity and enthusiasm infused his music making, and he moved his listeners with the joy he exuded while playing. In adulthood he struggled with depression and anxiety and, at times, retreated to listening to music when the joy in playing music became more physically difficult. He kept close to his many friends during these times, who supported him in a myriad of ways.  He found solace in deep music listening sessions in the company of friends.

Of his many goals, one Liam most cherished and was able to realize, was to be a working artist. His work as an actor/artistic associate and direct support professional with the Encore Studio for the Performing Arts gave him tremendous satisfaction, fulfillment, and joy. Liam's friends and family are heartbroken that many of his other aspirations will not be manifested in this world. We could use more Liams among us. Mostly, however, we deeply regret that his beautiful presence will not be with us on our daily journeys.

Liam was preceded in death by four grandparents—Donald and Junice (Martin) Dick, Donald and Mary Elizabeth (Donahue) McCarty—and maternal uncle D. James McCarty. He is survived by his mother, Maureen McCarty; father, William Dick; stepmother, Carolyn Schneider; half brother, Zane Dick Schneider; and step-grandmother, Nancy Schneider; as well as many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 29, 2023, with a reception to follow, at the First Unitarian Society, 900 University Bay Dr., Madison. The family will receive friends the hour before the service. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the MGEF (Monona Grove Education Foundation), 5301 Monona Drive Monona, Wisconsin 53716.  Please add “Liam McCarty Memorial Music Scholarship” to the memo line of the check. Online donations can be made at supportmgef.org. Memorials may also be made to a fund in Liam‘s name at Encore Studio for the Performing Arts: https://square.link/u/uf7a38kI.

To participate in the live stream please follow this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_3DSJf8IwA

Cress Funeral Service

3610 Speedway Rd.

Madison, WI 53705

608-238-3434

To send flowers to the family in memory of Liam M. McCarty-Dick, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Sunday, October 29, 2023

3:00 - 4:00 pm (Central time)

First Unitarian Society

900 University Bay Dr, Madison, WI 53705

Get Directions

Funeral Service