Manalapan EMS Chief Dies From COVID Complications, GoFundMe Says

MANALAPAN, NJ - Englishtown Manalapan First Aid Squad Chief Zachery McCarthy died this week due to complications from COVID-19, according to a Facebook post from the EMS squad and GoFundMe fundraiser for his family.

McCarthy, a longtime public safety dispatcher for the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office and member of the Englishtown Manalapan EMS squad, died Sunday in the ICU at Old Bridge Medical Center, according to the GoFundMe page created by first aid squad members.

“Unfortunately on the night of May 7th, 2023, Zach’s lungs could no longer fight the long term effects of COVID-19,” the fundraiser for his family's funeral expenses reads.

As of Tuesday morning, the fundraiser has garnered over $8,000 of its $25,000 goal. You can view the fundraiser here.

According to his social media pages, McCarthy, an Englishtown resident, was a graduate of North Brunswick Township High School and served as an assistant at Spotswood Office of Emergency Management.

He became engaged to his finance, a fire inspector in Howell, in December.

“He was dedicated to emergency services and had an important role in saving lives,” the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office said Monday.

“He was a great guy with a heart of gold,” one GoFundMe donor commented. “He touched so many lives. He will truly be missed. He has helped me out a lot along the way so I’m returning the favor.”