Robert J. McGrath

MCGRATH, ROBERT J. Robert J. McGrath, 84, of Guilford, CT, died Sunday, April 10, 2011 after a long illness. He was born March 4, 1927 in Waterbury, CT, son of the late George and Margaret McMahon McGrath. He joined the US Navy in 1943 and served in the Pacific during World War II and then in the Korean War, aboard the destroyer USS Healy. Following the service, he joined the Waterbury Police Department where he attained the rank of Sergeant and was the original organizer of the Waterbury Police Union, serving as its president for a number of years. Following his Waterbury years he moved to New York, where he joined the NYPD. During these years Bob received a Master's Degree in Psychology from NYU and later became a noted forensic investigator for the NYPD having been trained in hypnosis by the late Dr. Milton Erikson. Upon retiring from the NYPD, Bob established a practice in hypnosis in No. Haven, CT, and for the past 16 years in Guilford, CT, totaling over 40 years of experience. He lectured extensively throughout the country and in England, Ireland and Scotland. Bob was considered one of the most respected and experienced practitioners and teachers of clinical hypnotherapy. For many years he served as the chief certification examiner for the International Society for Forensic Investigative Hypnosis and as the president of the Association for the Advancement of Ethical Hypnosis. He appeared on the BBV TV Discovery Channel, authored numerous papers on the subject of hypnosis and developed a hypno-anesthesia procedure to help patients undergoing minor and major surgery. He is survived by his daughters Cynthia Painter of Waterbury and Susan McGrath of Middlebury, CT; a brother George McGrath and wife Joan of Monroe; sister Noel Ann Billings and husband Fred of Milford, two grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his sister Margaret. Bob will be missed by his many friends around the Guilford Green and especially by his faithful little companion, Bob, Jr. As per his request, there were no calling hours. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at a future date.