John McGrath

John McGrath, beloved husband of Patricia, father of Andrew and Brian, brother to Bernie, Ralph and Jim, father-in-law of Jennifer and Arleene, grandfather of Sydney, John, Brady, and Tessa, and fun uncle to many nephews and nieces, shuffled off this mortal coil to meet his Maker on Wednesday while surrounded by assorted friends, family, funny stories and good tunes (if you’re into Buddy Holly). John is preceded in death by his father, Bernard, his mother, Dolores, and his brother, Ralph.

In his youth, John and his family called a number of towns in and around Boston home. He graduated from Burlington High School in 1963 where he made and retained life-long friends.

John was a Patriot who served his Nation honorably and selflessly - enlisting in the United States Air Force as an 18-year-old. Working his way through college, John graduated from New Hampshire College and later earned his master’s degree from Suffolk University. From there, John worked a variety of roles at both the General Accounting Office as well as the Department of Defense until his retirement. He was understandably proud of this work, proud of the freedoms he helped to defend and he maintained a love of Country until his final day.

In his first 58 years, John was subjected to the kind of general desperation and despair that only a rabid Boston sports fan can truly understand. Some of this was his own doing – his adopted Boston College Eagles did little to brighten his sporting horizons. Of course, as a dutiful son of New England, he did not shield his two boys from this burden (nor would they have had it any other way) and he indoctrinated them into a world of collegiate and professional sports mediocrity from a very early age.

While a member of the legendary Budz-Up Ski Club, John met his loving wife of 51 years, Patricia, through his large, fun and spirited group of friends. The first time John saw her, he told his buddy, Jim, “I’m going to marry the girl that just came in the door.” And he did. Their wedding and honeymoon was spent in the mountains of Franconia, New Hampshire – an area they would return to frequently over the years to reminisce on the past and build new memories with cherished friends and family.

Together with Patty, John raised two boys who have turned out to be somewhat productive and contributive members of society – the stated end goal of his parenting approach. He succeeded in getting them out of the house without suffering a single heart attack, stroke, or mental breakdown and even managed to summon the self-restraint required to not murder them in their sleep – a threat seldomly (but memorably) proffered during the trying times that only adolescent boys are capable of helping to create.

John was happiest with a mitt in his hand – whether said mitt was a glove on the baseball diamond or an oven mitt in the kitchen. He loved to provide. Meals (particularly dinners and especially around the holidays) were planned in advance, discussed at length and akin to entertainment when they came to fruition. His Christmas Eve bouillabaisse was the stuff of legend – as he’d love to tell you. He loved kids and he loved baseball. His efforts to create safe, supervised and fun opportunities for the town of Reading’s youth to play our National Pastime is a legacy which continues to this day.

In addition to his work in support of youth baseball, John lent his skills and time to a variety of other causes. He served on town committees, was a Cub Scout Cubmaster (and had the badges to prove it), taught CCD, coached assorted basketball and soccer teams and even dipped his toe in local politics while serving as a deputy campaign manager for a Selectman candidate (they won). John’s love of travel with Patty took them to many amazing locations but they found themselves back in Ireland again and again.  John lost his weight in golf balls over the years and despite best efforts and excellent coaching, never quite mastered the art of Irish set dancing.

More than anything, John will be remembered as a warm, supportive, funny, smart-as-hell and tough-as-nails guy who would do anything he possibly could to help a loved one in need. For those lucky enough to know him, his time with us on this earth has and will continue to inspire, inform, guide and shape our futures for generations to come.

We’ll miss you, Dad. You were the best a kid could ask for.

Funeral from the Doherty Barile Family Funeral Home on Saturday November 15th, 2025 at 10 am followed by a Funeral Mass Celebrating John's Eternal Life in St. Agnes Church 186 Woburn St. Reading at 11 am. Interment is private. 

Family and friends are kindly invited to gather and share memories with the family on Friday November 14th, 2025 from 4 pm to 7 pm in the funeral home. Parking attendants and elevator available. 

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests donations be made to the Michael J Fox foundation.