Born at home in Pawling, NY, on August 7, 1935, to Marcella Sheridan McGrath and Callistus Patrick McGrath. He attended Pawling Schools.
On April 12, 1958, at St. John’s Church in Pawling, he married his high school sweetheart, Sigrid Evalyn Kubik, who survives at home. Upon returning home from his honeymoon, he was drafted into the US Army for 2 years.
Tom and Sigrid were loving parents to Darren(Dixie), Blake(Sally), Anne Marie (deceased 1965), Ryan(Mary Lou) and Jody Lape(Bill). Tom took great pride in his children and their families which include twelve grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
Grandchildren: Erin Empie(Seth), Patricia French(Jeff), Thomas McGrath(Caroline), Reid McGrath(Elaina), Hannah Palmer(Eric), Liam McGrath, Carly McGrath, Maddie McGrath, Grace McGrath, David McGrath, Henry McGrath and Samantha Lape.
Great-Grandchildren: Oliver, Mckenzie, Blake, and Eliza Empie; Lyla French; Elaine, Jude and Mabel McGrath; Caelem and Cassidy McGrath; and Maverick Palmer.
He is also survived by his sisters Elizabeth Grogan(Louis, deceased) and Catherine Roberts(Peter). He was predeceased by his brother John McGrath, sister Rosemary and brother-in-law Bill Irwin. Tom has many cousins, nieces and nephews, including his Goddaughter Marcy McGrath Laramay and dear friends Art and Rita Smith.
Tom was employed as a master mechanic by DeWitt Brothers/LL Tompkins Garage in Pawling and Brady Stannard in Brewster, NY. He was then employed for 27 years with IBM Corp. as an electro-mechanical technician. He retired in 1987 and became a partner in McGrath & Sons Excavating.
Tom was an avid hunter and a gentleman farmer. He was a former member of the Pawling Fish and Game Association. He was also a member of the We-Totem Camping Club and traveled extensively across the U.S. and Canada. Tom was a stock car driver at local area race tracks which resulted in several trophies throughout his career. He loved NASCAR and especially watching Jeff Gordon. Most of all, Tom treasured the time he spent with his family in the Adirondacks, helping his children with numerous projects, and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events…“Go Irish!”
There are no calling hours. A private service will be held for immediate family. He will be laid to rest at St. John’s RC Cemetery in Pawling.
We would like to thank Hudson Valley Hospice for helping to alleviate the stress during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent in Tom’s name to the Hudson Valley Hospice Foundation (374 Violet Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601) or the Alzheimer’s Association – Hudson Valley Chapter (2649 South Road, Suite 101, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601).
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