John Francis McGrath September 24, 1947 ~ December 12, 2016 (age 69) Obituary John Francis McGrath, 69, passed peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, December 12, 2016. The son of John Francis McGrath Sr. and Mary Balesano McGrath, John was born in Hartford, CT and raised in Newington, CT where he graduated from Newington High School in 1965 at the top of his class. He received an appointment from the governor of Connecticut to attend the Coast Guard Academy, in New London, CT and graduated in 1970 with a BS in general engineering studies. He continued his formal education and earned a Master of Business Administration, at American University in 1976 and also a Master of Arts degree in Political Science at George Washington University in 1977 while serving as an officer in the Coast Guard. He left that service in 1978, where he earned the National Defense Service Medal for his combat service in Vietnam. After retiring as Lieutenant Commander from military service he began his civilian career as an engineer working for numerous companies including Vitro Laboratories, McDonnell Douglas, Booz-Allen-Hamilton, Boeing Aerospace, the Pentagon and ended his distinguished career as Senior Executive Service Engineer, Branch Chief, Commissioning Branch for the Bureau of Overseas Building Operations at the State Department reporting directly to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton when he retired 2013.
He had many unique talents and accomplishments that made him the incredible man we all knew and loved – he was a boy scout, ‘Soap-Box Derby’ racer, proficient with a slide rule, hugged the Pope, shook JFK’s hand, was a member the Mensa society, and an altar boy…just to name a few! He was a star player on the Varsity Football team in High School, as well as the lead actor in the senior play! He spent much of his free time learning and perfecting the game of pool in his family’s home with his Dad. Later in his adult life, he became a pool tournament competitor. As part owner in “Champion Billards” of Silver Spring, he sponsored exhibitions for Willie Mosconi and Steve Mizerack. Throughout his life he was a dedicated New York Giants fan, having gone to watch them practice many years at the home of their summer camp. He would be pleased by the recent win by the N.Y. Giants over the Dallas Cowboys. He loved original films and was a ‘Weekend Warrior’ at the movie theatre!
Throughout his married life, he was busy supporting the family tradition of Irish Step Dancing where all of his children participated and excelled. His daughter, Lauren and son, Patrick are teaching the creative craft and art of Irish Step dancing throughout the Washington metropolitan area. Lauren McGrath Dutton runs the highly successful “McGrath Academy of Irish Dance,” and Patrick McGrath runs the “Patrick McGrath Academy of Irish Dance” both continuing to honor John and his family’s legacy.
He is survived by his wife Eileen McGrath and step daughter Francine Pauter, sister Gloria and husband Robert Trombley of Manchester, CT and their two daughters Jacqueline and Francesca of Denver, CO, his son John and wife Doerthe McGrath and their children Johnny, Danny and Johanna of Augusta, GA, son Patrick McGrath of Stafford, VA, daughter Lauren and husband Paul Dutton and their son Paulie of Damascus, MD, daughter Chrissy and husband John Dutton Sr. and their children Paytyn and Hayley of Germantown, MD, and their son John Jr. and wife Tiffany Dutton and their grandson Cole of Frederick, MD.
Services will be held on Friday, December 16, 2016 at Mother Seton Catholic Church at 19951 Father Hurley Boulevard, Germantown MD. 20874. All are invited at 11:00 a.m. for a viewing, followed by a Catholic mass at 12:00 p.m. and luncheon reception immediately following the mass.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to the National Kidney Foundation (local chapter) and/or the Vietnam Veterans of American. In addition, the family would like to encourage organ donation. A celebration of John’s life journey will take place in the Spring of 2017 at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
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Notice of Upcoming Funerals at Arlington National Cemetery
SUBJ: Funeral of John McGrath, LT, USCG (dis ’78) on 13 JUN 2017 @ 1500 hours.
PURPOSE: To advise Coast Guard Headquarters personnel of the funeral for John McGrath, LT, USCG (dis ’78) on 13 JUN 2017 @ 1500 hours. His spouse, Eileen, is listed as the next of kin.
INFORMATION: The funeral is scheduled for 13 JUN 2017 @ 1500 hours. The service will be a brief graveside service inside Arlington National Cemetery, Columbarium. The funeral party will meet at the ADMIN bldg at 1430 hours. Please contact Christopher Mack with questions: Christopher.m.mack@uscg.mil