John Joseph McGrath Jr.

John “Jack” Joseph McGrath, 87, passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2015. John was preceded in death by his loving wife of 44 years, Angela McGrath and daughter Ann Marie McGrath. He is survived by his wife Norma McGrath, children Jack McGrath, Kathy Carroll (Bruce), Tom McGrath, stepchildren, Linda Duncanson (Bill), Andrea Kerlin (Tim), Billy Marshall (Cathy), Steven Marshall (Dawn). Grandchildren; Brendan (Chelsea), Patrick, Michael (Shae), Cara (Brady), Lindsay, Sean, Luke, Will, Patrick, Courtney, Adam, Ryan (Ashley), Lindsay, Austin, Garrett, Nathaniel, and one great grandchild Eliza and his brother Paul McGrath.

John graduated from St. Johns University, Brooklyn, NY. Served in U S Army & Navy during Korean Conflict, he retired from Reynolds Metals Corp. where he worked for 36 years. He was part of the foundation in the formation of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and school where he was active for more than 50 years. He served in the Knights of Columbus. He was a life long advocate for people living with mental illness and other special needs groups. In 2008 he was awarded Commonwealth Catholic Charities Samuel Dilbert Award for his greater than 25 years of advocacy on behalf of people living with mental illness. He was a long time board member of Gateway Homes, a residential and transitional care facility and was instrumental in its expansion and continued growth.

Jack was a devoted husband, loving father and grampa. His commitment to his faith and to his family was apparent every day through how he lived his life. Jack’s greatest happiness was time spent with family and those he loved especially at his vacation home on the Outer Banks. Jack leaves behind an inspirational legacy of how to embrace life, from start to finish, with a strong faith and love in your heart.

Visitation will be at 9:00 am Thursday April 2nd at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:00. In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to Gateway Homes, P.O. Box 460, Chesterfield, VA 23832 or St Mary’s Catholic Church Haiti Ministry: 9505 Gayton Rd., Richmond, Va. 23229