In Memory of Terry McCarthy
Founder | Visionary Leader
June 5, 1943 – May 17, 2026
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Terry McCarthy, founder of M3 Office and one of the most enduring figures in our company's history. Terry built M3 alongside Patti Murphy in 1997, and for nearly three decades, his presence shaped everything that made this company what it is: the culture, the standards, the people.
Terry brought decades of contract furniture experience to M3, helping to build the company into the respected MillerKnoll dealership it is today. More than the business accomplishments, though, what defined Terry was his unfailing commitment to the people around him. Those who worked with him knew that he was, above all, a developer of people. He invested in his team not because it was good for business, but because it was the right way to lead.
A Life of Service
Before building a career in the furniture industry, Terry served his country as a Military Policeman in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968, stationed in Georgia and Germany. That discipline and sense of duty carried forward into every chapter of his life, and anyone who worked with Terry felt it.
A Partnership Built on Trust
No one understood Terry's impact on M3 more than Patti Murphy, who worked alongside him for nearly half a century. Their partnership — rooted in mutual trust and a shared vision for what a dealership could be — laid the foundation for everything M3 has become.
"I was fortunate enough to have Terry McCarthy as my business partner for 28 years, but even more fortunate to have him as my friend for over 40 years. He brought a corporate mentality gained from many years at major companies in our industry, which set us up for years of success. He was a boss and a mentor to all the members of M3, but most of all he was the heartbeat of our company."
— Patti Murphy, Co-Founder, M3 Office
Our Biggest Cheerleader
Terry had a gift for making people feel believed in. He told his team often how much he appreciated them and how proud he was of what they were building together. He never held back the words that matter most. For the people who grew their careers at M3, Terry wasn't just a founder. He was their biggest champion.
"Terry genuinely cared for everyone. If you were his friend, then you were his family. He loved his family, his M3 family, and he absolutely adored his grandchildren. He had a heart of gold, a strong work ethic, a contagious laugh paired with the best stories. He lived big and he loved big. His impact on my life was profound, and I am a better person today because of his guidance and support. It was a privilege and honor to know him."
— Shellee Ortega, Principal & Managing Partner
A Legacy That Continues
When Terry and Patti retired in 2025, M3 Office passed into the hands of Shellee Ortega, Alisa Lansdale, and Kevin McCarthy. That continuity was not an accident. It was the result of years of intentional planning and a deep belief that the business Terry helped build deserved to be carried forward by people who understood it from the inside out.
The values Terry instilled at M3 — trust, accountability, and a genuine love for the client relationship — remain the foundation of everything we do. His legacy is not something we look back on. It lives in how we show up every day.
"Terry wasn't just my boss and then my business partner — he was a mentor and a second father to me. He believed in me and taught me so much about the furniture business. His guidance and wisdom is something that I will always carry with me. I will miss hearing his voice and listening to him give me advice. Even when that advice was unsolicited, it was always welcomed. I will miss him forever."
— Alisa Lansdale, Principal & Managing Partner
Family Values
Terry was a true leader who believed that all of M3's employees are an intricate part of the company's success. He believed in treating all people with respect and being a man of his word. Generosity and loyalty were his superpowers. Rewarding people was his favorite thing to do. His smile, loud voice and wit will be deeply missed by everyone; his happy hard-working legacy will live on through his family and friends.
"I truly feel like the luckiest man alive being able to work beside my father and best friend for the last 30 years. Love you dad!"
— Kevin McCarthy, Principal & Managing Partner
We are grateful for everything Terry gave to this company, to this industry, and to the people fortunate enough to work alongside him. He will be deeply missed.
— The M3 Office Team
