Mr Mike McGrath, Drumalee Cross, Cavan

THE death occurred at Cavan General Hospital on New Year's Eve of Mr Mike McGrath, Drumalee Cross, Cavan. Mike lived a very interesting and varied life. He was born to Irish parents in the Bronx, New York in 1933. His parents and uncle had emigrated from Tipperary some years earlier, embarking like many emigrants at Ellis Island, where their names are recorded today. He attended St Jerome's Catholic Boys School and then went on to High School. Following his graduation he trained as a printer. In 1952 at the age of 19, Mike enlisted in the American Navy. At that time the United States was engaged in a great struggle against communism and that struggle found expression in the Korean War. In what was a bitter and difficult conflict, the consequences of that war have literally endured to this day, with recent further tension between north and south Korea. Mike spent four years on active service in Korea and one can only imagine the hardships he endured and the events that he witnessed. Following his return from Korea, he served for four years in the Reserves before leaving the army in 1960. In 1957 he met a young Irish girl Patsy O'Neill who was to become the great love of his life. They married in May 1959 at a time when Mike was employed doing security for trucks which were conveying money to banks. It was dangerous work and as a young husband with family responsibilities, Mike moved into construction, working as a roofer for a local union. In 1968 the family moved to New Jersey and then in 1971, Mike, Patsy and children came to live in Cavan. Mike secured employment with Wellman's International and also McCarren's, and ended his working career in 1998 when he retired from Pauwels. That year, 1998, was an important one for Mike, when during the course of it he fought and overcame a battle with cancer. The death of his wife Patsy in 1997 was a blow to Mike from which he never quite got over. His son Stevie died in 2006 and Neely died last August. Mike was also predeceased by his brother Jackie and sister Kathleen in the US and another sister, Peggy passed away last summer. Mike was a great father and a much loved grandfather. He brought his grandchildren to and from Crubany school each day and over the years "Pops" as he was affectionately known became a great favourite with the children in the school where he was available to help Santa on his annual visit to the school. He loved music and loved to sing a song. He also enjoyed a game of darts, playing pool or watching a movie. He was good company and it was a joy to be in his presence. Mike was a man of deep faith and regularly attended 8am Mass in the Cathedral or in St Clare's on Sunday mornings. He had been ill since July and his passing is deeply regretted. He is survived by his son Michael and his sister Marion (US). The funeral took place from the Cathedral to Cullies cemetery.