Obituary: Edward "Ned" F. McGrath, 87, WWII Veteran

Edward F. “Ned” McGrath, 87, of Ocean Avenue, Newport, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2014 at Newport Hospital. He was the husband of Blanche A. (Blais) McGrath.

Born in Oswego, NY on June 5, 1926, he was the son of the late Clarence and Lillian (Bond) McGrath. He was a graduate of Athol High School, Athol MA, Class of 1944. Ned served in Panama during World War II in the U.S. Navy. After the war, he graduated from Bryant College, School of Business Administration, in 1949.

In 1951, Ned moved to Newport to work for Retail Credit Company and then Acacia Mutual Life Insurance Company from 1956 until his retirement. He continued to Broker for them until the end of this life. He was a lifelong member of the Acacia Million Dollar Round Table.

Ned was a charter member of the Navy League of Newport, having served more than 50 years in the organization and was the RI State Navy League President from 1988-1991. He was also a member of the Rotary Club of Newport for 50 years, a life member of Wanumetonomy Golf and Country Club, a past member of the Ancient Order of Hibernian’s and a member of the Newport Museum of Irish History.

Besides his wife, Blanche, he is survived by their six children: Thomas McGrath of Middletown, RI, Marianne McGrath Lynch and her husband Paul of Virginia Beach, VA, Ted McGrath of Pawtucket, RI, Kathleen McGrath, RSCJ, of San Diego, CA, Patrick McGrath and his wife Julie of Newport, RI, Suzanne McGrath and her husband Kip Byrne of Falls Church, VA. His son, Christopher McGrath predeceased him. He leaves three grandchildren: Jillian, Daniel, and Dylan McGrath.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 pm on Friday, February 14, 2014 at the O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home, 465 Spring Street in Newport. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at St. Augustin’s Church, Carroll Avenue in Newport. Burial will follow at St. Columba Cemetery, Brown’s Lane in Middletown, RI. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ned’s memory may be made to St. Augustin Church, 2 Eastnor Rd, Newport, RI 02840.