November 4, 1950 – February 15, 2014
With saddened hearts we announce the passing of Martin James McGrath, after a long and hard battle with cancer on Saturday, Febraury 15th 2014. Beloved husband of 39 years to Sylvia (McManus) and loving father to Megan (Dave Randell) and Colleen. His family was by his side when he passed. Many cherished memories of happier times will be shared by those who knew and loved Martin. He will also be remembered by his sister Mary (Tom Niggemann) and brothers Gerald (Suzanne Davidson) and Kevin (Patricia Mahoney) sister and brother-in-law Charlyne and Paul Carrier, and many nieces, nephews, their spouses and grand-nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Irene and Gerry McGrath and sister Ursula (Bill Boeh), and his in-laws Margaret and Tommy McManus. Martin taught for many years in Huntingdon, Quebec and Mildmay Ontario. He was involved in refereeing, hockey coach, scouts, Optimist Club and Christopher Leadership Courses. Friends will be received by the family, on Wednesday, February 19th in the afternoon and evening from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at the Cattel, Eaton & Chambers Funeral Home, 53 Main Street, Dundas. A Graveside Service for Martin will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery, 620 Governor’s Rd. East, Paris, Ontario on Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 11 a.m. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of choice.
Hi Sylvia, Megan and Colleen
My thoughts and prayers are with you during the loss of a great husband and father. I always had a great respect for him. He was a wonderful man. He had a super mannerism.
If you ever get in the area, please be sure to drop in. Maybe some day we could meet for coffee, as I have a connection to Dundas.
Sorry I cannot attend the service, as I am flying out that day to visit my son.
Take care.
Joyce
Sylvia Megan and Collen
Our deepest sympathies on the loss of Your Husband and Dad Martin. We have many fond memories of him he was a good Friend. Love Paul Ronda Danielle and Max Couture
Dear Mrs. McGrath, Megan and Colleen,
There are so many of us from the Chateauguay Valley that remember Martin with such fondness. He was that teacher that went beyond the lessons of the classroom and was truly concerned about the well-being of his charges. He taught, by example and word, such lifelong values as self-respect and respect for others, acceptance, empathy and love of family. I remember well how thrilled he was with the births of each of his two beautiful daughters and his stories about his happy family. He had a wonderful and rare gift of bringing laughter to his classroom. He was a positive influence and inspiration to so many children over the years and those of us who were lucky enough to have had him as a teacher went away with not only a knowledge of books, but a stronger foothold into adulthood. Please always remember that Martin was loved by his students, and even after all these years, we feel the loss of a great man.
My heart goes out to you and all of your family and friends in your time of sorrow. He will be truly missed…
In deepest sympathy,
Erin Rankin
Huntingdon Academy
Sylvia, Megan and Colleen, please accept my deepest sympathy. I will never forget Martins quick wit and how he loved to challenge me. I still listen to some of the messages that he would leave on my answering machine. Some of them go on and on with his sense of humor. He will be one of my customers that I will never forget. I am sure he will be remembered and missed by every life he touched. Take care. Love Cindy
Sylvia, Megan and Colleen,
We are so sorry to hear of Martins passing. He was a very kind and gentle man and always had a quick answer or comment and a great sense of humor.
We are in Florida now so will not be able to attend the visitation or service, but please know our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow. RIP Martin!!
Your old neighbors,
Larry and Pauline
Gerry, Suzanne and all family members,
Our deepest sympathies on your loss of Martin. We didn’t know him personally but he was obviously the type of person one would be proud to call friend. Please do cherish your individual and group memories of happier times, it will help.
Jim and Sandra
Dear Sylvia, Megan and Collen,
I am so sorry to hear of Martin’s passing. I still remember his smile and funny mannerisms. He was a beautiful man. My prayers and thoughts are with you all as you go through this difficult time. God Bless you all. Pat Kenny
Silvia
Sorry to hear about Marty. I happen to call for Bill this am & Sue informed me.
My condolences, you two are some of the fine people that I feel good about saying that I have crossed paths with.
Kevin O’Halloran
Dear Sylvia, Megan and Colleen
We are so sorry to hear of Martin’s passing. He touched so many people in many ways. I will always remember when he coached Robbie and was quick to open the bench door for Rob when a player from the other team was chasing him! His talents working with children in the classroom or on the ice will always be remembered. May your memories help you through this tough time.
Sylvia, Megan, and Colleen,
Please accept our deepest sympathy on the loss of your husband and father. We were both lucky enough to have Martin as our Grade Three Teacher.
Take care.
Vicky and Luke
Dear Megan, Colleen and Aunt Sylvia
I’m so sorry to hear about Uncle Martin’s passing. Please accept our deepest sympathies from Jack, Lily, Suzette and myself. I really wished my kids could’ve had the same joy of being with Uncle Martin as I did. I can remember so many times with him that I felt special. He did have his way of letting me know he wasn’t fond of the things that I had done but that’s what I needed from him. What a great uncle he was. I’m going to miss him so much as you will also. You are so lucky to have him as a father and husband.
Love all of you,
Doug, Jack, Lily and Suzette.
Sylvia, Megan, and Colleen,
So sorry to hear of the passing of one of the most generous, kind, and genuine man I have had the honor of knowing. Martin always made time for people. He will fondly be remembered as a great friend. He told me one time that the people in the world can be divided into thirds. A third who cares, a third who don’t care, and a third who could care less. Thank you Martin for being in the group who cares.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Heaven has a new angel, and his name is Martin.
Love,
Sharon
Sylvia, Megan,& Colleen,
We would like to extend our Deepest Sympathy to all of you with the loss of your Husband/Father. He has touched so many lives is a positive way, and always with a smile. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Hugs to all
The Noonan Family
Dear Sylvia, Megan, and Collen
So sorry to hear about Martin’s passing, He was a great teacher with a great sense of humour. He sure had a way with his student’s. I no My boy’s have a lot of fond memories of all his stories, having had him a few times for a teacher, Our heart’s go out to you all. You are in our thought’s and prayer’s. Take Care Gary Karen Curt Jeremy and Brooke
Dear Sylvia, Megan, Dave and Colleen,
We are deeply saddened to hear of Martin’s passing. We both enjoyed working with him and fondly remember the many laughs and times we shared together. Thinking of you all at this time.
Love, Keith and Tracey
Sylvia, Megan and Colleen
My deepest sympathy goes out to you in the loss of Martin. He was a great teacher and not just for young children.
He was very helpful and inspiring to learn from when I was trying to become a teacher. He was always full of life with lots of laughs and a contagious smile. He is now at peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. God Bless Tracy
Sylvia, Megan & Colleen
Our thoughts and prayers have been with you for the past while as you watched your husband/dad fight this horrible cancer. We will continue to send prayers at this time of your great loss. We miss seeing you in Mildmay. You are always welcome to come and visit.
Do take care.
Rita & Don
Sylvia, Megan and Colleen,
Our deepest sympathy on the passing of your husband and father. Martin was a kind, gentle and generous man who always knew what was truly important in life, you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you today and all the tomorrows to come.
Sylvia, Megan and Colleen,
I’ve always enjoyed my long conversations with Martin and your family. He was a wonderful listener, teacher and mentor for me and I will certainly hold dear the lessons he taught me over the years. Martin will be dearly missed.
My deepest sympathies,
Curtis
Mr. McGrath was a very memorable teacher and an excellent neighbour. He was the sort of teacher that I remember people either liking or disliking. As any good teacher would tell you, being disliked by a few students is hardly a vice and it usually means that you’re doing something right. He really wanted to see his students succeed and I believe that his higher standards were to the benefit of his students and also a reflection of the higher standards he placed upon himself as an educator. His passion for teaching was evident in his classes where he would combine his lessons with his own stories and humour. Martin and Sylvia both have had such a tremendous impact on Sacred Heart. We were lucky to have you.
My sympathies are with you Sylvia, Megan and Colleen. I’m glad you were so close together in the past several years. He always spoke so highly of all of you.
Take care,
Jeremy
Sylvia, Megan & Colleen,
I was sad to hear the news of your husband’s/Dad’s passing. I never had the privilege of meeting Martin, but it sounds as though he touched the hearts of many. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Cherish the fond memories as they will carry you through to tomorrow.
My deepest sympathies,
Shannon
Please accept my deepest sympathy to you on the loss of your dear husband and father. I had the pleasure of taking a 12 week nutrition course with Martin and was so pleased to get to know him better. I really enjoyed our conversations and loved his sense of humor. Wishing you peace to bring you comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving,cherished memories to forever hold in your hearts.
Blessings,
Joan
Dear, Sylvia. Megan and Colleen
My deepest sympathies on your loss of Martin, I know how difficult this must be for you. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Martin was such a kind, gentle soul. He would do anything to help someone in need. I will cherish all the great memories I had with him. I hope that all the good memories with him help you though this tough time.
Celeste Reinhart
So sorry to hear about Martin. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time.
Jason Noonan
Dear Sylvia, Meagan & Colleen. Please know that Martin is watching over you. He will be saying, “Please do not cry for me”. But we will, because he was such a wonderful, caring person. He was a great teacher. He always asked how the “boys” were doing. He cared so much for his students. God be with you. Martin will be forever in your heart and everyone who knew him will be heart broken. RIP Martin, you were a great friend.
Dear Syliva & Girls – so sorry to hear of Martin’s passing. May your wonderful memories help you through this most difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
McGrath family,
We are so sorry for your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you. He was a great man who was so good to me in Grade Three and the lessons he had taught me are ones that I continue to live by. Thinking of you all.
Rick, Dar, Kelsey and Emily
Dear Mrs. McGrath, Megan and Colleen,
We are thinking and praying for you during this most difficult time. Mr. McGrath will be greatly missed. Having him as my teacher in both third and sixth grade, I count myself doubly blessed.
God Bless
Ashley Kraemer
Dear Sylvia,Megan and Colleen,
We are so sorry to hear of your great loss, Martin was truly a well liked and respected man. He had a very kind and gentle way about him.
Please accept our deepest sympathy.
Take care
Elaine and Hank
Dear Sylvia, Megan and Colleen
Please accept my deepest sympathy. Martin not only taught the children of Mildmay, his gentle, kind, thoughtful and very intelligent words reached many adults as well. He not only showed others respect but instilled self respect to all. Some of my fondest memories were working along side Martin guiding the youth group. Keeping high school students interested in christian work might have been challenging, but Martin made it fun. I can’t believe he is gone. He will be missed so.
Trudy
Geez – I don’t know why I did not catch on to this a long time ago. I am so sorry to realize that Marty is gone. Blessings to all of you – with love xoxo