William Thomas McGrath

On Tuesday, February 16, 2021, William Thomas (Bill) McGrath, loving husband of Veronica (Ronnie) for 60 years, father and grandfather passed away after admittance and a brief time in the hospital at the age of 87.

Bill was born in Newark, NJ to parents Edward McGrath and Louise Grehl McGrath, the seventh of eight children. He attended Eastside High School where he would set multiple state track and field records running the 220, 440, and 880-meter events among others. He served two years in the military during the Korean War as a communications specialist and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army.

Bill and Ronnie grew up near each other and both attended Eastside H.S. marrying in June of 1960. Moving to Old Bridge, NJ they raised four sons and lived in Old Bridge for over 45 years.

Bill was an Ironworker and member of Local 11 of the Ironworkers Union in Bloomfield, NJ for almost 30 years as a Journeyman and Business Agent. He and Ronnie moved to Charlotte, NC in 2010 to be closer to their sons. An avid reader, Bill also excelled in playing chess and cards including Pinochle, Gin Rummy, and Hearts. He coached and taught his sons how to play baseball, basketball among other sports, emphasizing sportsmanship, fair play, and appreciation of the fine strategies of sports and games. While in New Jersey Bill enjoyed horse racing following harness racing at Freehold Raceway and the Meadowlands, the thoroughbreds at Monmouth, was an avid fan of the Hambletonian, the Kentucky Derby and the race for the Triple Crown.

For family and friends, he will be remembered for his deeply generous heart, keen wit, ever-present sense of humor, and high intelligence. He led by example focusing always on the fun of the game and treasuring the time he spent with Ronnie, his sons and grandchildren, and their many friends always projecting how one should be a welcoming, warm and generous host.

Bill is survived by his wife Ronnie; sons Edward, Kevin, William and Timothy; his brother Lawrence, sister-in-law Joan, and brother-in-law William Becker; as well as grandchildren: Elizabeth, Eddie, Mathew, Melissa, Kaitlyn and Kristen.

While the heart and lungs that fueled you to earn record-setting medals are now quiet, and the hands that could bend steel yet gently cradle an infant are still, the seemingly endless love, dedication and devotion to family, friends, and loved ones will actively remain within our treasury of memories. Rest well.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 11 am at McEwen Funeral Home, 10500 Park Rd., Charlotte, NC 28210.

Online condolences my be shared at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com.