LOWELL—James J. McGrath, 79 years old, died Wednesday afternoon at the Fairhaven Nursing Home, after a long illness.
He was born in Lowell, on June 29, 1925, a son of the late James J. and Ann (LeBlanc) McGrath, and was a graduate of Lowell Public Schools.
Mr. McGrath served in the United States Navy during World War II. After his service he became a real estate investor with many properties in the Lowell area.
He was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church and held membership in the VFW, Post 662; the Knights of Columbus; the Knickerbocker Club; and the U.S. Bunting and Cricket Club.
Surviving him are two sons and a daughter-in-law: Scott and Cheryl McGrath, of Lowell; and Donald McGrath, of Lowell; two grandchildren: Jaime McGrath Dillon, and her husband Michael, of Worcester; and Jason McGrath, USAF, stationed in Tucson, AZ; two great granddaughters: Hailey and Taylor DeSilva; ten brothers and sisters, and their spouses: Ruth Santos, of Tewksbury; Claire and Arthur Boulanger, of Lowell; Robert McGrath, of New Hampshire; Virginia Joyce, of Lowell; Mary Santos and John Myers, both of Peabody; Walter and Dorothy McGrath, of Tewksbury; June Johnson, of Lowell; Shirley McGrath, of Lowell; John and Mary McGrath, of Florida; and Carol and Peter Foley, of Tewksbury; his former wife: Josephine (Fernandez) McGrath, of Lowell; also many nieces and nephews.
He was the very dear friend of the late Maureen King; and brother of the late Nancy McGrath Whalen, Doris Paglieroni, and Margaret Jeffers.
Friends may call from 4 until 8 PM on Friday, December 10th, at the MAHONEY FUNERAL HOME, 187 Nesmith Street, (Rte. 38). His Funeral Mass will be offered Saturday morning, December 11th, at 9:30 AM at St. Marie’s Church, Lowell. Burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. Donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association; 36 Cameron Avenue; Cambridge, MA 02140.