Anthony McCarthy, a fixture in the Baltimore region for over three decades and renowned for his distinguished career in public policy and media relations, died early Sunday morning at Northwest Hospital in Randallstown after a long battle with kidney disease. He was 57.

As the spokesperson for former Baltimore Mayors Sheila Dixon, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Catherine Pugh, Mr. McCarthy frequently appeared on Baltimore television stations, including FOX45 News. He also served as the communications director for the late Maryland Democratic congressman Rep. Elijah Cummings, and current Baltimore Democrat and U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume.

Former Baltimore City Councilman Carl Stokes told Spotlight on Maryland that Mr. McCarthy had a tremendous impact on the city. He served as Mr. Stokes’ spokesperson for a stint at City Hall and the two had been close friends since the early 2000s.

“Anthony was as close as a brother to me,” Mr. Stokes said. “His straightforward commentary was appreciated by both sides of the aisle and the middle.”

“He loved Baltimore, and Baltimore loved him,” he added.

Mr. McCarthy had fought to raise funds since the onset of his battle with kidney disease as he awaited a kidney transplant match. The National Kidney Foundation’s website says that a standard donation can occur within two to five years after a patient is added to the donor list. The wait can extend to 10 years, depending on various factors.

Mr. McCarthy began his long career as a journalist in Baltimore, where he served as editor-in-chief of the newspaper the AFRO. He subsequently hosted his award-winning show, “The Anthony McCarthy Show,” on WEAA 88.9 FM for several years and “The Weekly News Roundup” on WYPR 88.1 FM for a period of time.

Catalina Byrd, a former Baltimore mayoral candidate and frequent guest host on Mr. McCarthy’s radio talk shows, said she is devastated by her friend and former colleague’s passing.

“ ‘The Talk Show Guy’ was such an appropriate moniker for Anthony,” Ms. Byrd said. “Anthony loved talking to people about politics and faith and didn’t care if it was in a café or on-air. He genuinely just loved talking to people.”

As an ordained minister, Mr. McCarthy authored the faith-based children’s book “The Visit.”

One of his final government roles before retiring was as a special agent for communications and equity in the Office of the Inspector General for Baltimore City. Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming told Spotlight on Maryland she had a lot of pride in having worked with him, noting that he played an integral role in her agency, including combating early opponents of the OIG’s work.

“Anthony McCarthy loved Baltimore with so much passion,” Cumming said. With his beautiful radio voice, he spoke endlessly about our great city with so much pride. People may not realize that it was Anthony who presented my resume to then-Mayor Pugh and believed fiercely in all that the OIG did.”

“[He] was a great man and one who I was so proud to call my friend,” Cumming added.

When he wasn’t writing press releases or preparing policy statements, Mr. McCarthy’s friends said he was dedicated to community service in the city. He previously served on the boards of several organizations, including the Baltimore City NAACP, Union Memorial Hospital, the Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Tears of a Mother’s Cry.

Nicolee Ambrose, who served on the board of Tears of a Mother’s Cry alongside Mr. McCarthy, told Spotlight on Maryland that she is at a loss upon learning of her fellow board member’s passing. She said Mr. McCarthy played a crucial role in the nonprofit’s mission to support mothers who had lost children to city violence.

“Anthony McCarthy was a remarkable man with a brilliant mind,” Ms. Ambrose said. “In an era when politics get heated, he was always guided by his spiritual compass and treated everyone with compassion.”

Before he left City Hall in 2017, then-Mayor Pugh presented Mr. McCarthy with her first ceremonial key to the city.

“He is one of the greatest spokespersons I’ve ever met, and a great part of what makes Baltimore City Hall a welcoming place for all people,” Ms. Pugh said in a statement at the time, according to an article in The Baltimore Sun. “He has been an essential member of my Administration, and a person who I am privileged to also call [a] friend.”

Mr. McCarthy is survived by his mother, Mary Haines, of Waynesboro, Virginia, and his stepfather, Charlie Haines. A family representative told Spotlight on Maryland that a celebration of life will be planned for early spring.

Have a news tip? Contact Gary Collins at gmcollins@sbgtv.com. Spotlight on Maryland is a joint venture between FOX45 News and The Baltimore Sun.