Obituary of Thomas M. McGrath

Thomas Michael "Mike" McGrath, 86, of Jefferson, NJ passed away on August 26, 2024, to prepare for his wife Barbara. Thomas was born on November 18, 1937, to Thomas and Rose McGrath in Forest City, Pennsylvania. He was a mischievous child and grew up with his ten siblings, moving to the town of Dover, NJ at a young age. Thomas worked hard his entire life, working for National Hose and Fenimore Sanitation, owning his own sheet rocking business, and later working for the Jefferson Township Department of Public Works. When he retired from the Jefferson DPW, he worked part-time at the local recycling center to keep busy, where he greatly enjoyed passing time talking to his co-workers. Thomas was a kind man who deeply treasured his family and his wife Barbara. They always said that they wish they had found each other earlier in life so they could have loved each other longer. His patience was unrivaled, and this shone through in his love of fishing and gardening. He was a member of the Knee Deep Fishing Club for many years and loved going out to find his next big catch. Every year, without fail, he grew a bountiful garden and took enormous pleasure in tending it. He grew the best tomatoes and loved sharing them with family, friends, and neighbors. Thomas had a passion for baseball and was an avid Yankees fan, and often enjoyed watching games with his son John and his daughter Donna. He cherished and collected Yankees memorabilia and baseball cards, spending hours sitting in the living room sorting them. Thomas was briefly survived by his wife Barbara and is currently survived by his children John McGrath and his wife Rachel of Blooming Grove, PA, and Robert McGrath of Lake Ariel, PA; his grandchildren Richard, Eric Thomas, James, Joseph, Jessica, Heather, Eric Allen, and Angela; and his great grandchildren Taylor, Morgan, Eric Jr., Kyler, Toby, Abigail, and Shelby. He is predeceased by his parents Thomas and Rose McGrath, and his children, Joseph Charles McGrath, Donna Lynn Tarascio, and Lyle Patrick Smith. A Celebration of Life will be held for family and friends at the American Legion in Jefferson Township, NJ on September 22, 2024, 1:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be sent to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. "May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand." - Traditional Irish Blessing