- Date Of Birth: December 14, 1926
- Date Of Death: June 1, 2011
- State: Illinois
On December 14, 1926 there was a shudder in Ottawa, Illinois. It wasn’t like that of an unexpected breeze, though it was certainly cold on the McGrath farm, but like that of nothing else felt before.
Edmund Thomas McGrath, son of Edmund T. McGrath and Flora Hallagan McGrath was that shudder. This shudder would last over eight decades, felt by the thousands lucky enough to have loved, be loved, befriend or even meet Edmund in passing. But like all things, shudders and earthquakes alike, they must calm. They must end. On Wednesday June 1, 2011 it ended.
Edmund Thomas McGrath–husband, father, grandfather, farmer, friend and forever remembered–passed away. He is the brother of Richard McGrath (Sue) of San Diego, CA, Robert McGrath (Ann) of Teaneck, NJ, Eileen Stroble (Ed) of Decatur, IL, and Jane Burgart (John), both deceased.
He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of sixty-two years, Mary Lorraine Corcoran. They wed on January 22, 1949 at St. Patrick’s Church in Ottawa, Illinois. Edmund described Lorraine on that momentous day as, “My beautiful young bride with every step she took, in her hands she carries her mother’s prayer book.” With that love and an equal amount of prayer they had two sons: Gary McGrath (Deborah) and Tim McGrath (Karen) both of Ottawa, IL, as well as four daughters: Deborah Rousonelos (Gus) of Plainfield, IL, Sheila West (Robert) of Glendale, AZ, Colleen Shoon (Bruce) of Belvidere, IL, and Denise Lash (David) of Batavia, IL. It didn’t stop there.
The family, the love and the prayers continued with eighteen grandchildren: Michael McGrath, Stephen McGrath, Mark McGrath, Kevin McGrath, David West, Cassandra Archer, Peter Rousonelos, Brigid Luke, Tara Smith, Erin Marshall, Brian Schoon, Jennifer Schoon, Patrick Schoon, Christopher Lash, Bryant Lash, Matthew Lash, Samantha McGrath & Kaylie McGrath. With eleven great grand children to continue his legacy. Besides being a lifelong farmer before retiring to Arizona, he was also the greatest carpenter we have ever known.
His hands, made strong by an equal amount of true hammer swings as well as by misfired staples, nails and the occasional jig saw, say as much. Edmund and Lorraine were owners of Let’s Store It located in Ottawa, IL. He was also a Director with the LaSalle County Farm Supply for twenty-seven years. Edmund, Grampie as many knew him, was not only a great man but a true believer in Jesus and the power of love and prayer.
