Thomas J. McGrath

Thomas J. McGrath, 76, of Dallas and formerly of Wilkes-Barre, died Monday. He and his loving wife, the former Florence Ann Klein, would have celebrated 54 years of marriage on June 29.

Born Oct. 10, 1934, in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was a son of the late James J. and Frances Kalinosky McGrath. Tom graduated from GAR Memorial High School and attended Wilkes-Barre Business College. He devoted his 43-year career to the sales and distribution of national food products. He established national recognition in sales and distribution for companies, including Lender's Bagels, Ore-Ida Potatoes, Buitoni Food, Dow Chemical, Bosco Coffee and Mrs. Paul's Seafood, receiving numerous awards from the food industry. He was recognized many times as National Broker of the Year for these organizations, affording him and his wife the opportunity to travel to many parts of the world. Among his trips to England, France, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Germany, Austria, Monaco, China, Africa and Morocco, his favorite included a private audience with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. Tom performed 33 years of his career as senior vice president and senior managing partner of Hagerty-Schwartz Associates of Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Wilkes-Barre. He was also founder and president of All-Penn Frozen Food Distributors during this time.

Every year, nearing St. Patrick's Day, he was well-known for the distribution of thousands of cases of Green Bagels in coordination with Murray Lender of the Lender Bagel Corp. He first gave the idea to Lender's to distribute them in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City, and the rest was history. The following year, they made their way into the parades in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton. They were distributed to schools, hospitals, the back porches of many friends and neighbors and the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick dinners throughout the area. Tom served on the board of directors of the Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association and formerly on the board of directors of the Wilkes-Barre CYC. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 302, Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Greater Wilkes-Barre, Donegal Society and Westmoreland Club. He was in regular attendance for the St. Therese Novena for more than 55 years and was a member of the Parish of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception.

An avid Notre Dame and New York Yankees fan, in retirement, Tom enjoyed all of his grandchildren's sports and activities: baseball, basketball, soccer, ice hockey, golf, fishing, Cub Scouts and watching his only granddaughter perform Irish step dance. He loved spending much of his retired time with his wife and family, vacationing whenever possible. He was a frequent visitor to New York, where he was well-known in Manhattan for making his own parking spots. With a love for gardening and cooking, he was happiest when hosting parties for family and friends. When he wasn't with his family, he could always be found roaming the aisles of Wegmans. He died peacefully in the presence of his loving family. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Also surviving are five children, Thomas Jr. and wife, Debbie, Shavertown; James and wife, Mary, Forty Fort; Mary Ann and husband, Rick Roberts, Dallas; Michael and wife, Peggy, Wilkes-Barre; and Sean, Harveys Lake; eight grandchildren, Thomas III, Patrick and Christopher McGrath, Brian and Kevin McGrath, Kathryn and Matthew Roberts and Michael McGrath; a sister, Barbara and husband, Nicholas Alexander, Ocean, N.J.; many godchildren, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of Tom's life will be Thursday at 8:30 a.m. from McLaughlin's Family Funeral Service, 142 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre, with a funeral Mass at 9:30 in Church of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Hanover Twp.

Visitation will be Wednesday, from 4 to 8 p.m. Donations in memory of Thomas J. McGrath are preferred and may be made to King's College, McGowan School of Business, Wilkes-Barre, or Wyoming Valley Children's Association, Forty Fort. Messages and memories can be shared with the McGrath family at www.celebratehis life.com.