Obituary of John McGrath

J. Paul McGrath of Montclair, NJ and Bonita Springs, FL, loving husband of Eileen "Honey" (Robinson) McGrath, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2013 at the age of 72 with his family at his side. Mr. McGrath was born on September 9, 1940 in Rochester, NY to Thomas McGrath and Evelyn (Regan) McGrath. Mr. McGrath was Valedictorian of the first graduating class at McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester, NY in 1958, earned an AB with honors from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA in 1962, and an LLB with honors from Harvard Law School in 1965, where he was also an Editor of the Harvard Law Review. Following his graduation from law school, Mr. McGrath began an illustrious legal career that spanned four decades. Mr. McGrath's entire career in private practice was spent with the firm Dewey, Ballantine, Bushby, Palmer and Wood in New York City, where he ultimately served as Managing General Partner and Chairman of the Litigation Department until 1992. In 1981, Mr. McGrath was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to be an Assistant Attorney General of the United States, and served with distinction from 1981 to 1985, first as Head of the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and then as Head of the Antitrust Division. Following his career in private practice and public service, Mr. McGrath was General Counsel at AlliedSignal Engineered Materials and Senior Vice President and General Counsel at FMC Corporation. In 2000, Mr. McGrath joined American Standard Companies, Inc. and served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary until his retirement in 2004. Mr. McGrath is survived by his wife Honey, sons John and David, daughters Trish and Robyn, a brother Ted, sisters Mary Ann and Susan, a son-in-law Paul and daughters-in-law Mindy and Lelia. He was a loving grandfather to five grandchildren, Robert, Henry, Jack, Jamie and Payton. Mr. McGrath was actively involved in numerous charitable, civic and professional organizations in New York, New Jersey and Florida. Paul was loved and admired, and will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, brother and friend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to YMCA of Southwest Florida, 27200 Kent Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135, phone (239) 221-7560.