Francis X. McGrail

Francis Xavier McGrail (Major, USA-Retired), died peacefully in his home on July 2, 2016 after his eight devoted children had gathered by his side. The sixth of seven children, he was born to Thomas and Mary Shanahan McGrail in Harlem, New York City, on February 2, 1922. He grew up in the Bronx. While attending Evander Childs High School during the Great Depression he worked as a bicycle messenger delivering telegrams for Western Union, as a stock boy and shoe salesman for R. H. Macy’s department store, and as an usher at Radio City Music Hall, where he would relax on the roof between shows with the Radio City Rockettes. He learned that you can live by less than you need and make do with what you have.

Given his devotion to his family, he was motivated to enlist in the 69th Infantry Regiment, 165th N.Y. National Guard when he was just seventeen years old, claiming to be nineteen years old. When that unit was federalized in November 1940 he withdrew to complete his high school education and help support his family. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Army in January 1942.

Upon completing OCS in November of 1942, he was commissioned and assigned to various units. He was ultimately assigned to the 13th Armored Division at Camp Beale in California. Knowing that the 13th Armored Division was a new unit and would be in training for a long time, and eager to see combat and finish training, he was granted a requested transfer. He was sent to England as a replacement troop on the Nieuw Amsterdam (unescorted) on June 2, 1944. After arriving in Normandy in July 1944, he served as a Combat Liaison Officer with the 2nd Armored Division, 66th Armored Regiment, hand delivering secret orders from higher headquarters to lower headquarters and maintaining liaison between the front and higher headquarters. He and his driver were frequently under fire. After crossing a bridge into Paris, they received cheers from the locals who believed they were being liberated. Francis and his driver quickly retreated when told by higher command that the French Armored Division would make an official entrance the next day.

As a tank platoon leader, he had a close and unique view of Europe as they advanced through the countryside. The Germans had superior tanks and the American tanks coming through hedgerows were easy targets, earning the nickname “Ronsons,” for the way they lit up like a popular American lighter when hit.

After trading American toilet paper for Russian cigarettes (not quite the same as American tobacco), Francis got to see the inside of a Russian tank. After noticing a gearshift that had to be moved with the aid of a hammer, he could better appreciate the mechanics of the American tanks. At the end of the war, Francis and his 2nd Armored Division were granted the honor of being the first American troops allowed entrance into the city. Francis was responsible for his troop occupation of one block.

He departed Europe on the Liberty Ship Lyman Abbott on January 11, 1946 where a recording of Claire de Lune was played each evening of the 16 day journey, which he recalled every time he heard it. Francis was awarded the American Campaign Medal; the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 5 battle stars for Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe; World War II Victory Medal; Distinguished Unit Badge; Belgian Croix de Guerre; Belgian Fourragere; and the French Legion of Honor Medal.

Five months after returning from Europe, on July 13, 1946 he married his beloved Joan Helene Hynes and together they had eight children. He valued their education and saw all eight graduate from college. He began his professional career with Riegel Paper Company (now Rexam) in Manhattan where he developed his love for dry martinis over two martini business lunches. He moved with Riegel to Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania, where he was also a volunteer fireman, then across the Delaware River to Milford, New Jersey. In 1969, they made their final transfer to Charlotte, where he remained after his retirement in 1982. That same year he also retired as a Major in the Army Reserves with the New Jersey National Guard. He was a long-time parishioner of St. Gabriel Catholic Church.

In his retirement years he was known to enjoy regular cocktails and an occasional cigar. He liked crossword puzzles and watching any and all sports on TV, but especially the New York Yankees. At 7:00 p.m. on most weeknights he could be found watching Jeopardy, schooling two or sometimes three generations of family members playing along with him. He enjoyed decades of annual summer vacations at Sunset Beach, NC, with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family. They will always remember him on the deck, gazing out at the ocean and listening to the music he loved. Those who knew him will also miss his sharp intelligence, quick wit, and wry observations. He was urbane, sarcastic, comical, well-read and could always be counted on to provide meaningful insight into any situation.

He is predeceased by his wife of 35 years, Joan, and is survived by Sheila (Richard Berry) of Charlotte, Larry (Diana) of South Pasadena, CA, Tony (Jenny) of Raleigh, Kathleen Hanrahan (Bill) of Charlotte, Joan Holt of Chapel Hill, Steve (Sandy) of Mooresville, Patricia Bates (Richard) of Eliot, ME, and Ann Hayes (Aaron) of Charlotte, 21 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a brief prayer service at 6:00 p.m. at Harry and Bryant, 500 Providence Road, Charlotte followed by visitation until 8:00 pm on Thursday, July 7. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Friday, July 8 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 3016 Providence Road, Charlotte with Pastor Fr. Frank O’Rourke, Celebrant. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Army Historical Foundation, www.armyhistory.org or Holy Angels at www.holyangelsnc.org.