Francis Mcgrath

OXFORD - Francis L. McGrath, Jr., 77, passed away on Thursday, September 1, 2016, in his home after a long illness. He leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Louise M. (Siminski) McGrath of Oxford, MA.

Francis was born in Worcester, MA, the son of Irene (LaBrie) and Francis L. McGrath, Sr. He graduated from South High School and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Arts from Fitchburg State College and his Master’s Degree in Education from Worcester State College. In 1960, he was hired as the first Industrial Arts teacher in the town of Leicester, MA and taught in the Leicester school system for 37 years. He served in the Air National Guard of Massachusetts.

He was active in coaching with the Oxford Little League and also served on the Board of Directors for many years. He designed and built a youth baseball field in the Greenbriar section of Oxford, which was named after him. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, cross country skiing, golf, woodworking and camping. He especially loved spending time taking care of the lawn at his home.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son James M. McGrath and his wife Christine McGrath of Shirley, MA and his son Stephen F. McGrath and his wife Christie McGrath of League City, TX. He also leaves behind four grandchildren, Shawn McGrath and Jennifer McGrath of Shirley, MA and Sullivan McGrath and Ian McGrath of League City, TX, his brother Ronald McGrath and long-time companion Carol Stenman of Auburn, his brothers David McGrath of Oxford and James McGrath of Webster, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Kenneth McGrath who died in 2015.

A funeral will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2016, from Paradis-Givner Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford, followed by a Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Roch’s Church, 332 Main St., Oxford. Burial will follow at Notre Dame Cemetery in Worcester. Calling hours are Friday, September 9, 2016, from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home. The family asks that donations be made to St. Roch’s Church, 334 Main St., Oxford, MA 01540, in lieu of flowers.