John Patrick McGrath

March 26, 1941 – October 28, 2026

With profound gratitude to God for the gift of his life, the McGrath family announces the passing of John Patrick McGrath. On October 28, 2026, John died of heart and kidney failure at Toronto General Hospital, surrounded by his family. John’s 85 years centred on three things: family, faith and service. In each, he gave fully and without fanfare.

John was born in Sarnia, Ontario, on March 26, 1941, to Irving and Marguerite McGrath. After the family moved to Toronto, he attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help School and De La Salle College before going on to St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto, where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce in 1963. He remained a devoted alumnus of St. Michael’s, serving on the Senate, the Collegium and the University’s Investment Committee as a trustee, advisor and benefactor whose generosity strengthened both academic and student life.

After graduating, John joined A.E. Ames & Co. He stayed with the investment banking firm through decades of mergers and market cycles, retiring in 1998 as a Vice-President and Director of RBC Dominion Securities. Over his career, he advised many of Canada’s largest companies and was widely respected on Bay Street for his intellect, sound judgment and integrity. Looking back, he said his greatest professional joy came in his final years at RBC Dominion Securities, when he worked alongside and mentored younger colleagues.

A lifelong and committed Catholic, John lived his faith in practical ways. He devoted much of his retirement to the Church and public service. He served on the boards of many charitable organizations, including Bloorview MacMillan, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Toronto, Manresa Retreat Centre, the National Catholic Broadcasting Council, Providence Villa Healthcare, St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums and the Southdown Institute. He also helped establish the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute. In 2001, he was appointed Chancellor of Temporal Affairs for the Archdiocese of Toronto, a role responsible for its finances and the administration of more than 220 parishes. He intended to stay five years; he stayed eleven, serving both Cardinal Ambrozic and Cardinal Collins. During those years, some particular highlights for John were being involved with the opening of twelve new churches and the highly successful 2002 World Youth Day in Toronto and working with the Loretto sisters.

In recognition of his service, John was twice honoured by the Holy See. Pope Benedict XVI named him a Knight Commander, with Star of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great. He was also named a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

John also gave generously and quietly to causes that served the poor, Indigenous communities, and the mentally ill.

John’s circle of friends was unusually wide. It included classmates from De La Salle and St. Mike’s, colleagues from Bay Street, co-workers from the Archdiocese and Catholic Charities, and his many friends at Lambton Golf and Country Club. He valued every one of those friendships and kept them up with the same loyalty he showed in all things.

John’s greatest devotion was to his family. He was a loving husband to Anne (née Morse), the mother of his first seven children, until her death in 1988. He later found great happiness with his second wife, Aileen (née Horgan), the mother of his eighth child. John loved the outdoors and shared it with his family. His children recall many happy memories of trips to the Great Smoky Mountains, hiking the Bruce Trail and camping at Killbear and Restoule provincial parks. In his later years, he treasured summers at Thunder Beach. He was an active, attentive grandfather to 28 grandchildren and never missed a birthday; each year he hand-delivered a card, usually with a $100 bill tucked inside. He was also a proud great-grandfather to four.

John is survived by his beloved wife, Aileen; his children, Eleanor (Finbarr), Irene (Bruce), Peter (Jennifer), Martha, Matthew (Michele), Robert (Jaime), Jerome (Rina) and Kate; his 28 grandchildren; his four great-grandchildren; and his sister, Cynthia Teeter.

The family extends its heartfelt thanks to John’s cardiologist, Dr. Heather Ross, and the healthcare teams at Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto Rehab and Toronto General Hospital.

Visitation will be held at Rosar-Morrison Funeral Home, 467 Sherbourne Street, Toronto, on Thursday, November 5th, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., and Friday, November 6th, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, 65 Bond Street, Toronto, on Saturday, November 7th, at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to the Yonge Street Mission, the University Health Network or ShareLife.

P.S. For the record, our dad would have wanted this obituary to be a quarter of its length.