HERKIMER - Arnold Tunis McCarty, age 76, of Shells Bush Road, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, March 10, 2012, in Faxton-Saint Luke's Medical Center, New Hartford. He was born on December 15, 1935, in Springfield, son of the late Tunis and Lela Smith McCarty. A lifelong area resident, he was a graduate of Springfield Center High School. For thirty-two years, Mr. McCarty worked as a heavy equipment Operator for the New York State Thruway Authority in Herkimer. He retired in 1996. On November 5, 2011, he was united in marriage to the former Roberta Buss Wright in Herkimer. Mr. McCarty had a strong belief in God and was of the Episcopal faith. He was a member of the Ilion Elks Lodge # 1444, and was an honorary fireman with the Springfield Center Volunteer Fire Department. In his leisure time, he enjoyed working around his home and listening to his collection of Elvis Presley music. To all who knew him, they will never forget a hardworking, straight talking man. Any conversation with him was direct and to the point but you always felt a warmth and friendship whenever you were with him. He will be greatly missed by his many friends and family. He is survived by his loving wife, Roberta; two brothers, Douglas McCarty, of Richfield Springs, and Keith McCarty and his wife, Janet, of East Springfield; three sisters, Janet Sikkema, of East Springfield, Kate Steckler, of Richfield Springs, and Carol Ostrander and her husband, Richard, of Rochester; several nieces, nephews and cousins; along with his faithful canine companion, Minnie. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Charles McCarty. His family will be present to receive relatives and friends in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James Street, Richfield Springs, on Tuesday from 3:00 until 5:00 p.m. A funeral service will follow immediately after at 5:00 p.m. in the funeral home, with the Reverend Thomas Kyle Grennen, Rector of Saint Mary's Episcopal Church, Springfield Center, officiating. Interment will be later this spring in Springfield Center Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the Springfield Center Volunteer Fire Department; envelopes will be available at the funeral home.