Sean Higgins McGrath was 73 years old, and passed away at home on October 7th with loved ones by his side. Sean was born in Oxnard, CA on October 29th, 1950, the son of Thomas Francis “Frank” McGrath, Jr. and Lenora “Lee” Carroll McGrath. He was the youngest of three children, and loved and adored his sister Bridget and brother Tom. He was a proud, 4th generation member of the McGrath farming family.
Sean attended Santa Clara Elementary and High School in Oxnard, and attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He was a lifelong member and supporter of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Foundation, and an instrumental and dedicated supporter of the National Disaster Search Dog Rescue Foundation, located in Santa Paula, CA, an organization very close to his heart. He farmed many different commodities his father Frank, brother Tom, and independently for most of his career and was successful in many other business ventures. He was a member of the Rancheros Visitadores and Rancheros Adolfo, and a lover of cowboy culture and history. Sean was a humorous, generous, and thoughtful uncle to his four nieces, and a loving friend to many. He had a deep love of animals, enjoyed travel, and his time and adventures in the San Ynez Valley, and home in Somis.
Sean is survived by his former wife, Diane McGrath; his sister-in-law, Brianne Johansen McGrath; his four nieces, Marianne Carroll McGrath (Michael Napolitano), Helen Conroy McGrath (Peter Chausse), Patricia Lee McGrath, and Kailyn Bridget McGrath (Andrew Dennis); as well as his great niece, Marlowe Rose Napolitano; and two great nephews, Tomas Francisco McGrath-Chausse and Pedro Kaj McGrath-Chausse, and his beautiful chocolate lab, Lucy. He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Francis “Frank” McGrath, Jr. and Lenora “Lee” Carroll McGrath, his brother Thomas “Tom” Francis McGrath III, and Bridget McGrath Massey (Doug Massey), and many dear friends, cousins and animals.
The family requests any memorial contributions to the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club of the Santa Clara Valley, or the CSU Channel Islands Foundation in lieu of flowers.
A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, October 19th at 10am at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1048 West Ventura Street, Fillmore, CA 93015, with a reception to follow at Flying M Ranch 1061 Simi Street, Fillmore, CA 93015.
Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.