Rev. James J. McGrath C.S.C.

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Rev. James J. McGrath, C.S.C., 84, Emeritus Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Notre Dame, died at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Ind. on Monday, Oct. 24, 2016. He was born on October 30, 1931 in Brooklyn, New York to John J. and Anna Grace (Branigan) McGrath. He attended St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Grade School and St. John's Preparatory School. In 1946, at the age of 14, he entered Holy Cross Seminary at Notre Dame as a freshman. After graduation in 1950, and a year in the Novitiate, he made his First Vows on August 16, 1951, he studied theology at Holy Cross College, Washington, D.C., and was ordained to the priesthood in St. Augustine's Cathedral, Bridgeport, CT, June 5, 1959. During several summers he had studied at Notre Dame in order to earn a master's degree in botany. Following a year's pastoral apprenticeship at Notre Dame, Fr. McGrath pursued doctoral studies at the University of California, where he obtained a doctorate in botany in 1965. Fr. McGrath taught at Notre Dame from 1965 until 2003 as a Professor of Biology, and he was Assistant Chair of the Biology Department. He taught Plant Taxonomy, Plant Anatomy, Biological Micro technique and a class for non-science majors, Plants, Food and Society. Fr. McGrath also spent many hours caring for the biology greenhouse. One of Fr. McGrath's last official acts in the Biology Department was signing off on, and approving the design, of the new Biology Department greenhouse which is now part of the Jordan Science Building. In 2008, Fr. McGrath was presented an award commemorating his years of service (1965-2003), to the Notre Dame Biological Science Department. A bronze plaque hangs at the entrance to the greenhouse with his name and honorary title of, "Keeper of the Plants." Over the years, Fr. McGrath was teacher to many Notre Dame students. He also served as Chaplain to the Notre Dame Fire Department where he also resided for 20 years. Fr. McGrath's duties went beyond the campus as he spent his weekends ministering at local parishes; one in particular, Sacred Heart of Mary Missionary Parish in Dowagiac, Michigan. Every weekend, Fr. McGrath would drive up to Michigan to celebrate Mass until he was assigned to Holy Cross House in 2005. Preceding him in death are his parents, John J. and Anna Grace McGrath; sisters, Rosemary (McGrath) Monahan and Delores (McGrath) McClellan; and nephew, Douglas McClellan. He is survived by a sister, Thérése McGrath, as well as several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, October 30, 2016, at Moreau Seminary, Notre Dame, IN, where there will be a Wake Service at 7:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the Notre Dame campus on Monday, October 31, 2016 at 3:30 p.m. Burial will be in the community cemetery at Notre Dame. Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, is in charge of the arrangements. Memorial contributions in support of the mission and ministries of the Congregation of Holy Cross can be made to: United States Province of Priests and Brothers, Office of Development, P.O. Box 765, Notre Dame, IN 46556-0765 or online at donate.holycrossusa.org.