Alphonsus Joseph "Alphie" McCourt (29 July 1940 – 2 July 2016) was an Irish-American writer. He was the youngest brother of Frank McCourt.[1]

Alphonsus Joseph McCourt
BornAlphonsus Joseph McCourt
(1940-07-29)29 July 1940
Limerick, Ireland
Died2 July 2016(2016-07-02) (aged 75)
New York City, U.S.
Pen nameAlphie
OccupationMemoirist, writer
NationalityIrish-American
Spouse
Lynn Rockman
(m. 1975)
ChildrenAllison McCourt (daughter)
RelativesFrank McCourt (brother)
Malachy McCourt (brother)

Early life

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Alphie McCourt was born in Limerick, Ireland on 29 July 1940, the youngest son of Malachy McCourt (1901–1985) and Angela Sheehan (1908–1981).

Writing

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Following in the footsteps of his elder brothers Frank McCourt and Malachy McCourt, Alphie had his own memoir A Long Stone's Throw published in 2008.[2] The book was well received.[3][4] He had published articles in The Washington Post, The Villager and The Limerick Leader prior to writing his memoir.[4]

Death

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He died on 29 July 2016, 27 days before his 76th birthday. His brother Michael had died the previous September, 9 months earlier. He was survived by his brother Malachy.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b Hayes, Kathryn (3 July 2016). "Alphie McCourt, brother of Frank McCourt, dies aged 75". The Irish Times. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  2. ^ McCourt, Alphie (2008). A Long Stone's Throw. New York: Sterling & Ross Publishers. ISBN 978-0-9814535-5-2.
  3. ^ "Nonfiction review: A Long Stone's Throw". Publishers Weekly. 3 November 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2021. This book is a nomadic adventure worthy of Ulysses. ... Sensitive, lyrical, funny, stubborn, impetuous
  4. ^ a b Ulaby, Neda (23 December 2008). "A Vivid Memoir From The Youngest McCourt". NPR. Retrieved 6 January 2021. [there is] some sort of genetic gift when it comes to weaving delightful narrative spells and plumbing deeply humanist insight from their experiences.