He was born on November 18, 1933 in New York City, New York to the late John and Margaret McGrath. He was a graduate of Manhattan College. He had a distinguished career as an Electrical Engineer in the Aerospace Industry working on Space Shuttle guidance systems. He was a long-time resident of Bloomfield, New Jersey and retired with his wife, Ann Marie, to Cary, North Carolina. He was a life-time member of the Knights of Columbus and a parishioner of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Cary. But out of all of his activities and achievements, spending time with his grandkids was his greatest pride and joy.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Ann Marie; grandson, Brian Brown; and brother, Thomas McGrath.
He is survived by his son, Thomas McGrath and his wife, Diane; daughter, Margaret Brown and her husband, Neil; daughter, Kathy Rodriguez and her husband, Henry; sister, Mary Ratigan; grandkids, Michelle and her fiancée, Stephen, Rachel, and Monica McGrath; Jake and Shannon Brown; Alex and Nick Rodriguez and his fiancée, Lisa; and his "adopted" grandkids, Emma, Jessie, and Ryan Johnston.
A visitation will be on Sunday, May 6, 2018, from 4:00-6:00 PM and a Funeral Mass will be on Monday, May 7, 10 AM, at Apex Funeral Home, 550 W. Williams Street, Apex, NC 27502.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the SPCA of Wake County, 200 Petfinder Lane, Raleigh, NC 27603 in memory of John "Jack" McGrath.
Online condolences may be made at ApexFuneral.com
Arrangements by Apex Funeral Home, Apex
