Obituary of Jimmy Mack McGraw

Jim McGraw of Lake Hopatcong, NJ passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on February 6, 2020. Husband, father, grandfather, teacher, carpenter, project manager, water skier and gardener. Jim's life centered around his loving wife Patricia, his sons Bob and his wife Christine and Bill and his wife Sheila and his grandchildren, Samantha, Kaitlyn and Brendan. Other's include Samantha's mother Kathy. He was passionate about having his granddaughters attaining a college education and financially supported that cause. He married Patricia Patrick in 1957, whom he met in college. Soon after that, he joined the Army Reserve. Upon his release from active duty, he became a drafting teacher in the Morris Hills Regional School District. He loved teaching and especially enjoyed tracking the successes of many of his aspiring architects and engineers. Upon his retirement in 1988, he worked as an architectural CAD drafter in the office of one of his former students. After that, he was a project manager for various companies. During the 1960's Jim taught water skiing and competed in nationally sponsored water ski competition. He taught his oldest son Bob how to water ski at an early age. Bob went on to compete at the national level and coached aspiring competitive water skiers which he continued to do until 2016 When Jim wasn't teaching, project managing or water skiing, he worked as a carpenter and taught his youngest son, Bill the trade and worked with him after his semiretirement in 2006. During the past several years, Jim became very passionate about his health and physical fitness. He has been active in organized physical fitness programs which included Yoga, cycling, spinning, weight and cardio training. He and his wife have devoted many hours each week in keeping their bodies healthy and in top physical condition. Certainly, that contributed to his longevity. He wants to thank all of the wonderful people who have contributed to his happiness during the years that he has lived in New Jersey. Without being specific, he especially wants to thank the following: His wife of 62 years for her love and devotion, to both of his sons for their successes in their chosen careers, to his grandchildren for many hours of happiness and to all of the wonderful students that he taught at Morris Hills and Morris Knolls (you have no idea how proud you made him during his thirty years of teaching), to the trainers and coaches at the physical fitness center, to his financial advisor who had the foresight to allow Jim to live comfortably during his senior years, and to everyone who mentored and encouraged him to be honest, forthright and energetic. He is survived by his wife and two sons, his grandchildren, his brother Bob and two sister's Mary and Margaret as well as nieces and nephews. Jim will miss you and we will miss him. A Life Celebration will be announced by the family at a later date.