James “Jim” Arthur McGrath, a lifelong and well-known resident of Whitman was struck by a motor vehicle Wednesday and died that morning from injuries he sustained.
He was the husband of Margaret (Mosher) McGrath, with whom he shared 21 years of marriage. He was the loving father of Kathleen and Gregory. Jim was very involved and supportive of his children’s community, educational and athletic endeavors.
Jim was pre-deceased by his oldest son, Benjamin and his parents, Eleanor and Thomas McGrath. Surviving family members, sisters Ellen Vogel and her husband Jay of Bridgewater, Mary Lou Kelly and her husband Jim of South Yarmouth, Beth McGrath of Scituate and Jeanne Engel and her husband Steve of Johnson, Vermont. He is also survived by his brother “TL” and his wife Deborah of Boston.
He is also survived by his in-laws, Faith and Tom Mosher of Hanson, Steven and Renee Mosher of Woodbridge, Virginia, and Jonathan and Sallie Mosher of Whitman.
He will be missed by his many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews
Jim McGrath and his brother-in-law, Jimmy Kelly had continued the family business, the T.L. McGrath Company, a Whitman institution, for many years. Jim, an indefatigable entrepreneur, also founded Suburban Service Center and Whitman Equipment.
A 1978 graduate of Cardinal Spellman High School, Jim was well known to all the sisters at the school. An avid sailor, he enjoyed life most when he was on the sea. He and his family spent five years sailing up and down the East Coast in their ketch “Sable”, wintering over in the Caribbean. He also enjoyed competitive sail racing on weekends.
His ever present smile, and easy going attitude helped him make many friends, and he will be missed by everyone he knew and touched during the course of his life.
His services will be held Monday, July 7 at 10:15 AM from the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth St, (Route 58 at the rotary) Whitman, followed by a Mass celebrating his life, at 11 am in the Holy Ghost Church, School Street, Whitman. Visiting hours are Sunday, July 6 from 3 pm to 7 PM.
Memorial donations can be sent to the Children’s Floating Hospital, Pediatric/Oncology Clinic, 800 Washington Street Boston, MA 02111, or donations may be made to an educational fund for the McGrath children may be made to the Jim McGrath Family Fund at the Mutual Bank, 570 Washington Street, Whitman, MA 02382.