Loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, and friend. John Thomas McGrail passed peacefully and comfortably with Janet, his wife of 60-years and his son Johnny at his side on May 16, 2020. Dear friends visited frequently, shared touching memories and told funny stories getting a rise out of John in his final hours. The family was also touched by the overwhelming compassion and love of the hospice care team allowing John to pass with dignity. He was 81 years of age.
Born August 1, 1938 to Caroline (Boles) and John McGrail and raised in Baltimore, MD. John proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corp, before meeting his sweetheart and best friend at the Western Electric Company. He married Janet (Steele) in 1959 where they began their life together in Baltimore, MD.
Just as they were committed in marriage, they too worked for a single employer for 35-years. With the expansion and then break-up of Ma Bell, company names changed but John remained true to the phone company. His worked in a number of roles over the years, from loading trucks in the reel yard, paint shop operator, assemblyman and machine operator, as well as a union official later in life. John worked hard to take care of others and was quick to join a just cause if another employee was not fairly treated in some way. Though they began their life together in Baltimore, they also relocated to Oklahoma City, OK, Hot Springs Village, AR and ultimately Little Rock, AR.
Life-long friendships and strong bonds followed John over the years. He was a quick wit, kept in contact and in recent years had daily telephone calls with his closest allies. He was known for telling a tall tale or getting a rise out of those he loved most. Various couples would travel to Ocean City, MD together and play cards, see shows, etc. Over the years the venues may have changed (e.g. Branson, MS, Las Vegas, NV and Phoenix, AZ) but the friendships only deepened.
John also had a lifelong penchant for sports. In high school he was a gifted lacrosse player and for many years played competitive fast and slow pitch softball, but perhaps his top love of sports was coaching basketball where several of his teams won the Maryland state championship. For many years he officiated softball, lacrosse and soccer. Helping improve others was something that he enjoyed and excelled at. John was also a mason and a Shriner. He so loved visiting the Pediatric Burn Unit and all the good that was being done for the injured and less fortunate among us.
John leaves behind the love of his life, Janet, to whom he was married for 60 years. He will be cherished and remembered as a loving father to Johnny McGrail of Castle Rock, CO, a loving father-in-law to Giselle McGrail and a proud grandfather to Ian, Peter & Nicole. He was a doting and very proud Pop-Pop. He also leaves behind his loving brother Mack and his wife Peg.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the family is grieving privately and will delay in having a Celebration of Life at Pine Crest Funeral Home in Alexander, AR and internment at St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Baltimore, MD. The family finds comfort in kinds thoughts. To share in John’s memory please leave a message or photo as we celebrate his life. www.pinecrestfh.com.
In lieu of flowers please consider making donations in his memory to the Shriners Children's Hospital, www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/shc or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org
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