Mr McGroarty was my sixth grade social studies teacher.  We had such fun, he was funny and a great story teller.  I was in his infamous "Peanut Gallery".

I am so, so sorry for your loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers in the coming weeks.
Love to you all,
Sean and Carla Cornell

Sue and family, 

You have my sympathy.  I pray that God will comfort you in this difficult time.

Sue, Kevin, Kelli and families,
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this sad time.  May God comfort and support you.
Love, Loretta Zehr

Dear McGroarty Family, our thoughts & prayers are with you during this sad time. Love. Linda Lee & Jim

Dear Sue and "Kids",
After working and golfing with Mike for almost 30 years,it is hard to believe I won't be seeing him or sharing more good times on some course with him. If you've golfed with him you too will miss his signature yell after he hit his ball- "ROLL,YOU DEVIL,ROLL!"
Some people may have felt Mike was intimidating because of his booming voice and size. If you really knew him, you knew he was a kind,caring, gentle soul whom anyone would be lucky to call-friend. Miss him.
May God hug you and yours and bring you peace.
Fondly,
Don Juricka(and Sue,Eric&Jenny)

We wish to extend our deepest sympathy and know that we are praying for you and your family during this time of loss.  Mr. McGroarty was a fantastic teacher and inspired me to love History and Social Studies.  He had a profound impact on my life.

Thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I am so blessed to have had Mike in my life. He was "one of a kind" and the best brother-in-law ever... He will always hold a special place in my heart, as will all of you.
Love, Marti

May God grant peace and comfort to your family at this time.  


Gridley High class of '82

You have my deepest sympathy on your loss.  Mike was my teacher in jr high.

My Deepest Sympathy, thoughts and prayers to the McGroarty family.   I had the honor of having him 2 times in my school year at El Paso.  He was a great teacher! He was one of my favorites!  I remember his laughing or trying to make a student wonder if he was upset.

Sue and Family,
Our sympathy, thoughts, and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.

McGroarty Family,
I'm so sorry for your loss !! He was a brilliant man who touched the lives of many. I sent him a card just last week hoping to cheer him up , I hope he was able to see it:( I will forever remember him as my favorite teacher!! If I ever had to get a detention I always wanted it to be from him cause he would always take them away after class if you promised to clean his room:) I know he would laugh if he heard that:) take care all of you..
Melissa Van Scyoc Luedtke
Class of 1997

Dear Sue, Kelly, and Kevin,
We were so saddened to learn of Mike's death.  May you feel God's love and presence in a mighty way as you remember the precious memories you shared, and look forward to meeting him again.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Pete and Jan Meiss.   Gridley, Illinois

My deapest sympathy to your family. He was a man who touched so many of our lives. I still have thoughts 42 years later of the greatest social studies teacher ever. May all the wonderful memories he left you give you comfort and laughter in the times to come.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

My thoughts and prayers to Mr. McGroarty's family.  He was an unforgettable teacher and an inspiration for me to get into education.  I got to know him a bit more in 1991 when we worked together during the summer as part of the paint crew in the El Paso schools.  He will be missed but not forgotten.  

John Denham

Sue, I regret not being in touch the last few years....Mike was a unique and independent thinker who was such a joy to engage in discussion!  I loved debating with him...especially politics!  It seems impossible to think that it's been almost 40 years since I babysat Kevin.  You and the family are in my thoughts and prayers.  So sorry to have lost Mike too soon.

Dear McGroarty Family:
I am a former student.  Mr. McGroarty was the best.  always so fun and caring.  He made each student feel special !!  My deepest sympathies !
Anndel Van Scyoc Rang
Class of 1978

Sue, my condolences to you and your family.  Like you, he was a dedicated teacher and obviously touched many lives.

WE LOVED UNCLE MIKE AN EVEN THOUGH WE DIDN'T GET TO SPEND ALOT OF TIME WITH YOU LATELY, WE'LL NEVER FORGET THE GREAT TIMES WE HAD ON THE CRUISE!! SEE YOU ALL NEXT WEEK.LOVE CINDY AND JOHN

Dear Sue,

Maria and I offer heartfelt sorrow.

So too we wish to express our sincere gratitude for being blessed to know Mike and having shared a small piece of his time in this world:

A game of trumps with Ken & Dottie at their place in Wisconsin; a plate of calamari at the Glacier Brewhouse in Anchorage, Alaska; the winter of 2005 --when you opened your home to us for a visit -- like we were family.

We miss him now.  But we are so very, very thankful for having been a friend.  He lives on; we continue our journey the better for having had him in our lives.

All our love,

Bill & Maria
Point Au Roche, NY

Dearest Sue and Family: We lost a good man in Mike and he was indeed a happy, well-read, gentle-hearted soul ... loved our times together, and thought for sure I was the world's best uchre player until playing against Mike. He so enjoyed life and loved his family faithfully. See you again someday, dear friend. Our love, Ron and Judi Horndasch

I have alot of fond memories of Mike. He was a great teacher and he taught me to play chess. Always grateful, Brian Haines

Dear Sue, Kevin, and Kelly,
We are saddened at Mike's passing.  He had such a sweet spirit. We have so many fond memories of Mike, some of which include: floating down the Current River, trips to Kentucky Dam, teaching at Centennial, and time together with our families.  Mike touched so many lives in special ways, including ours.  
With sympathy and love,
Donna and Rich Lee

To the McGroarty Family,

I am a former student who remembers the care and dedication given to each student - I enjoyed History/Social Studies because of Mr McGroarty and his teaching style.  Please know that his students did not forget him even long after they moved on with their lives.  He is making God laugh now.  Thank You for sharing him with us.

Karen Allen EPHS Class of 1983

Dear Aunt Sue -

my thoughts, prayers and love are with all of you - and yes he was a GREAT story teller.  love his hat in this picture, may you each feel the comfort of our loving God.

Angie

I am sorry for your loss. Although I had not seen my old history teacher in many years he definitely had a hand in shaping who I am today; all teachers do as they pass their knowledge on to their students. I am thankful for the year I got to spend with him and the memories he gave me. May God be with you in your time of need.

Dear Sue, Kelli and Kevin.  We haven't seen you in years, but for the time that we knew you through Jan, was precious.  our thoughts  are with you and Mike.

George and Liz Iwanowski.

Sue: I was so saddened to hear of Mike's passing.  Cards with you guys will just never ever be the same. The kabbitzing was his specialty, especially when he could not win at Trumps. But nothing was as fun as riling Mike up about politics. Yes, we are the blue state and he was firmly red; but I will continue to believe he was a closet Libertarian. He would laugh at that, surely. 

Raleigh and I send our love and thoughts, as you go through this difficult time. Know that there are so many people who deeply love you and even from afar are sending our support. We hope to be out there soon.

Sue and Family,  I am so sorry for your loss , how peaceful he must be at this time.  I pray that you and your family will find some peace at this time.  Take time out and know that there are many who are around that are willing to help.  Prayers, cards, food.  

Shirley and Dennis Kapper

My thoughts and prayers to the McGroarty family.  I was the student, he my teacher.  He had such a wonderful laugh and it was quite infectious.  My most favorable memories are of his laughter.  May you cherish all your wonderful memories of his life.

Sue,

My thoughts, love, prayers and sympathy are with you, Kevin, Kelly and their families.  The picture is so him.  It depicts the "happy-go-lucky" Mike I knew.

Janet

Dear Sue.....my heart goes out to you. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.  My fondest memory of Mike is during our beginning years of teaching at El Paso.  In catching a ride home with you after school, I sat in the back seat and listened to Mike and you talk with each other -- all the way back to Bloomington!!  As a young, yet-to-be married, woman I hoped I would find someone who would want to talk, listen and share with me the way Mike shared with you. May he rest in peace.

We send our Love and Deepest Sympathy to you, Sue, and to your family. Mike was one of God's special treasures, and he will be missed terribly. by all of those left behind.We just want you to know that we are here for you, and will do anything for you.    Our Prayers are with you all during this difficult time.                                        Pastor Bruce & Betsy Baker

With my very deepest sympathy to you and your loved ones.  You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Pat Vogen Krakar

Dear Sue, Kelli, and Kevin,   My favorite memory of Mike was at Sharonberg's resort in Wisconsin, 39 years ago..... He was an avid fisherman during the day, but at night he introduced me to my first "electronic" trivial pursuit game at the bar!  I was amazed at how much he knew, but I am sure growing up,with him you were all aware of that quality about him.  He was such a kind and humble guy, that had a great sense of humor and always laughed with you, and not at you.   I loved it when he would sit in with the ladies duplicate bridge!  He was a natural!

OBITUARY

Edward "Mike" McGroarty

15 June, 1944 – 9 August, 2012

East Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

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