Roseville Pizza Driver, 80, Keeps Working Through Lung Cancer Treatment as Family Seeks Help

An 80-year-old Roseville man who is fighting lung cancer is still delivering pizzas, his family says, because he cannot afford to stop working. George McCarthy had a tumor removed from his lung recently, and his granddaughter says he was back behind the wheel less than a week later.

"I have no choice," McCarthy said. He added that he has to work "to survive."

Lung cancer is not McCarthy's first. He has previously been treated for prostate cancer and kidney cancer. He has driven for the Jet's Pizza location in Roseville for 20 years. At one point he had retired, but he went back to work after finding that his Social Security income did not stretch far enough to cover medical bills that Medicare did not pay. "Everything is backed up and maxed out," he said.

At the restaurant, at 15 Mile Road and Schoenherr, manager Anthony Boschian described McCarthy as a devoted employee. "The whole store loves him. The crew loves him. Model employee. Always early and he stays late whenever you need him," Boschian said.

McCarthy's relatives say they wish he could finally rest. His granddaughter, Ashely Lafata, said watching him work through his illness has been painful. "It hurts me every single day," she said.

Lafata said she asked him after the surgery whether he wanted to take some time to recover and relax. His answer, she recalled, was that he had to work. "He has to rest," she said.

Lafata contacted WXYZ Channel 7 about her grandfather's situation. In her message, she said she was unsure his story was worth sharing but hoped someone would listen and be willing to help so he could return to retirement.

She has also started a fundraiser intended to ease his financial burden, giving him less to worry about when it comes to his next paycheck and more time to recover, rest and be with loved ones. McCarthy credited his family for supporting him. "I have a wonderful family that keeps me going," he said.

The Jet's Pizza at 15 Mile Road and Schoenherr is also planning a fundraiser. On Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, the restaurant will donate a portion of its sales to McCarthy, and Jet's corporate has said it will match those donations. The family has set up an online fundraiser for anyone who wishes to contribute.