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Patrick J McGrath

Obituary

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Patrick McGrath Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Mar. 20 to Mar. 21, 2023.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Patrick James McGrath, who died unexpectedly at the age of 72 on March 13, 2023 in San Francisco, CA. Patrick was a devoted son, loving brother, uncle, and cherished friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1950, to James and Virgina (Psioda) McGrath, Patrick grew up in Evanston and developed a lifelong passion for sports. Patrick went on to have a successful career as a sports broadcast statistician, where he was highly respected for his integrity, work ethic, and expertise.

Despite his many accomplishments, Patrick's greatest joy in life came from spending time with his family and friends. He was a devoted son who unselfishly sacrificed his own aspirations of a family to take care of his aging mother.

In addition to his family, Patrick had a wide circle of friends who admired his warmth, kindness, and generosity. He was always willing to lend a helping hand, whether it was offering words of wisdom, or simply sharing a listening ear. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Patrick's passing is a great loss to his family, friends, and community. However, his legacy of kindness, love, and devotion will live on in the memories of those who were lucky enough to know him. We take comfort in knowing that Patrick is now at peace and reunited with those who have passed before him.

Patrick is predeceased by his parents James McGrath and Virgina McGrath. Surviving are his brother Martin (Barbra Nugent) McGrath, nieces Megan (John) Readette, Kirsten (Steve) Parrott, great nieces Adalynn and Charlotte Parrott, and nephews Matthew and Logan McGrath.

True to his style, Patrick's wishes were that no funeral or memorial service be held, but instead he would like friends and family to share their condolences and memories on the legacy obituary page. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Nantz National Alzheimer Center in Patrick's memory.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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Recent Activity

May 12, 2023

Adam posted to the memorial.

April 19, 2023

Jason Greenberg posted to the memorial.

April 19, 2023

Steve Levy posted to the memorial.

12 Entries

Adam

May 12, 2023

Thankful that I had Pat standing next to me when I called my first NFL game on TV. My nerves were calmed because I had him next to me. Over the years working together or across from each other at an NBA game, he would always share his wisdom. Not just for that night´s game, but things he thought would help me in my career. Things he had learned from the current and future hall of fame broadcasters he had worked with. Because he wanted me to be at my best and he was the type of person who would do whatever it took to help the person next to him. I´m thankful I got to know him.

Jason Greenberg

April 19, 2023

This one really hurts. I worked with Pat for 20+ years on Big Ten Basketball, NBA and other sports. He always took the time to ask about how my special needs daughter was doing. Caring & Considerate were 2 of his many strong traits.

Professionally, we worked hundreds of games together. He single handily saved my marriage as he would open up his paperback OAG book and help me find a flight home after a cancellation or game that ran long.

His love for the Santa Anita Ponies, bike riding around Evanston and grabbing a bite at a Morton´s bar on the road were his passions.

He was really really good at his day job. He made any broadcast he worked on better with his forward thinking insight.

Tough working this years NBA playoffs without you courtside Pal.

Love to the entire McGrath Family!!

Jason Greenberg
ESPN

Steve Levy

April 19, 2023

I only had the privilege of working with Pat for the last 3 years but knew of the legend he was for the past 30. Any pregame jitters I had were instantly calmed when I saw him enter the broadcast booth. He just had the knack for handing you the perfect note at the right time and after I learned to read his handwriting, Pat´s info was TV gold. Tireless and professional, he would email me notes on games he wasn´t even working. He made every show better. A well-dressed Pat is sitting in a first class seat and smiling, enjoying the games and the broadcasts, from a better place. RIP

Karen Foster

April 16, 2023

Pat was such a wonderful, kind, witty and intelligent man. His friendship will be truly missed.

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Dave Pasch

April 16, 2023

Pat was simply the best statistician in the business. He loved his job, because he loved people. It wasn´t about the game, it was about being with friends, and his friends were like family to Pat. I had the honor and privilege of working closely with Pat on NBA games for 17 years. I had great affection for Pat, because of his kindness, his professionalism, and his integrity. I also loved his jokes and one-liners, including the sometimes hilariously inappropriate ones lol. When my family would occasionally travel, he treated them like they were part of his family. He remembered their names, and would always ask about them. He talked often about his love for his mom, and would have a big smile on his face when he would show pictures of his niece (when he could figure out how to use his flip phone!)

As I look to my left these last few weeks, and don´t see Pat next to me, it makes me sad. He worked with such energy and intensity-it made me better! I had to be on top of my game because I always knew Pat would be! He was always reliable to have the perfect note and the perfect time. He was always on point, which brought the best out of the people he worked with. I miss his smile, his laugh, and his briefcase, which somehow survived the last decade, and his travel advice. What a guy. May God give peace and comfort to all of us who love him and miss him!

John Kidd

April 16, 2023

I met Pat in the 80s when he introduced himself to me one late summer afternoon on Northwestern´s football field when I was getting in a little extra practice. His enthusiasm for sports was off the charts. He came out a few more times that summer with his square toe kicking shoe and hit a few- and was actually pretty darn good. That led to a friendship for the rest of my time at NU, 15 years in the NFL, and beyond.
Every time we would run into each other he was always having a great day, had interesting stories, somehow- with all the games he was doing- knew my statistics better than I did, and of course gave a rundown of his game & travel schedule!
He loved sports, loved his job, loved his family & friends which included the people he worked with!
He will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.

Tony Granieri

April 16, 2023

I had the pleasure of working alongside Pat. He was always very kind to me. Always had useful travel tips to share. And always had some great stories to tell.

I really enjoyed getting to know him. He was a good man. I just saw Pat in December in Indianapolis. We talked in the press box for ten minutes. I´m glad I got to see him. He asked about my wife and kids. He always took an interest.

RIP Pat. Your ESPN family will surely miss you.

Dave Barnett

April 16, 2023

Everyone should be so blessed as to work with people like Pat, as was my pleasure and honor for 13 years at ESPN. I knew every game Pat would come armed with meticulous insight on both teams, knowing the individual storylines as well as we broadcasters. He would have a stat or note ready before I could even ask. Viewers have no idea how many times we sounded smart because Pat was so spot-on and timely with his information.
And no one was better company for a late night drive through horizontal snow in search of a Happy Meal (Pat´s term for all road food) and the next airport. The absolute best, both as friend and colleague. RIP Patrick.

Joe Tessitore

April 9, 2023

Pat was a gentleman. In every sense of the word. A true class act. A pillar of professionalism -- supremely talented at his craft -- and even more skilled in his humanity. A sincerely kind and loving soul. Unselfish and modest. Giving and generous. His passion for the horses from Santa Anita to Saratoga, his pride in looking sharp in an Italian suit, and his never ending ability to remember more connect-the-dot stories of sports history than anyone -- it all created a character I'll never forget. Pat was a man who made everyone around him better. The memories from all the years on the road and in the booth with Pat will always be cherished. He was such a good man...a good solid honorable man. -Joe Tessitore

Brad/Nancy & Reis Nessler

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brad nessler

March 27, 2023

I don't even know where to start with Pat.....except to say he was ONE OF A KIND ! A great friend for over 30 years and a co worker as well. For 24 years Pat was my" left hand man", doing my statistics on every football and basketball game I called. He made our entire team better on every broadcast, because he was the best at what he did.....and he took great pride in that. When the games were over, Pat was usually only good for one beer in the hotel lobby bar, because there was another flight to catch.....another game to work. The man had more flyer miles than most airline pilots ! I'll miss the wacky sense of humor and the jokes and one liners I'd heard 50 times, but still made me laugh every time. I'll mostly just miss a great friend. If there's a Hall of Fame in Heaven for sports statisticians ....he's already been enshrined. If there's one for characters, he'll be in on the first ballot. He's already been a Hall of Fame friend to so many of us that he left behind. "PTR"... RIP brother
Brad Nessler
CBS Sports

Clint Deans

March 24, 2023

For 28 years I had the privilege of getting to know the many facets of Pat. We shared many late-into-the -night drives as we traversed the country attempting to get to wherever that next destination might be.
Pat left an indelible mark as a friend and so many of his quirks and conversations will be with me forever.
God bless you Patrick - Heaven has never had so many facts and introspective sad it will from this day forward.

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