Donald C. MCGRATH

On May 13, 2012, at the age of 81, Don passed away peacefully at his home. Longtime resident of Santa Rosa and Berkeley native, he was the oldest son of Charles McGrath and Helen (Brennan) McGrath, He is survived by his son Kevin McGrath, daughter-in-law Kathy McGrath, and granddaughter Brenna McGrath of Marlborough, MA, and son Kelly McGrath, and daughter-in-law Vivian McGrath of Rocklin, CA. Don's family moved to Butte, MT shortly after he was born and returned to Berkeley where he attended middle and high school. After graduating from Berkeley High School in 1949, Don attended Santa Rosa Junior College where he worked part-time as the bus-driver for the student nurses, a job he "truly" enjoyed. He served in the Army and was stationed at the height of the Cold War with the 4th AAA Group at Ladd Army Airfield in Fairbanks, AK. He continued his higher education at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he graduated in Print Engineering. He met his wife Beverly (a nurse) while attending Cal Poly and they were married for 27 years, raising their family in Pinole and Hercules, CA. Don worked in San Francisco for Arcata Graphics and later Graphic Arts Center as an Executive Account Manager where he managed the Macy's print account. Don retired in 1986 to play golf, but was wooed back to the company the next year to manage a new account called Victoria's Secret. He moved to New York City where he lived in Manhattan for a year. Don loved golf and was marshal at several courses in Santa Rosa and Windsor. He enjoyed fishing and was known to take his Macy's account customers on salmon fishing expeditions to Oregon. He was a member of Sons in Retirement of Windsor, the Ancient Order of Druids in Santa Rosa, and the Pacific Market Morning Coffee Group. Don was a self-confessed "reunion junkie" and would attend his own elementary, middle, high school, and college reunions, as well as those of friends and relatives. He enjoyed a party and was always the center of attention for his humorous stories. He had a winning smile, a hearty laugh, positive spirit and a true love of life, family and friends. At a party he was always first to arrive and the last to leave. When he was asked what the "C" stood for in his name, he would reply "Cuddles" with a smile. He loved his "grand-dogs" when they'd come to visit and they all knew that he kept doggie treats in a jar next to his recliner. He is preceded in death by his brother Terrance McGrath, and his cousins Sharon and Jack Healy, and Keith McDonnell all of Santa Rosa. He is also survived by cousins Mike Healy of Petaluma, Matt Healy of Cleveland Heights, OH, Walt and Mary Spellman of Santa Rosa, Liz McDonnell of Santa Rosa, nephews Lawrence McGrath of Stamford, CT, David McGrath of Windsor, VT, Mark McGrath of Marshfield, MA, and niece Alison McGrath of Port Elizabeth, ME. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Don McGrath to Valley of the Moon Natural History Association (VMNHA), attn: Tjiska Van Wyk, Executive Director, Jack London State Historic Park, 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, CA, 95442. Web donations: http://bit.ly/valleyofthemoon. You may also make donations to the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, or a charity of your choice in Don's memory. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Star of the Valley Catholic Church at Oakmont Village in Santa Rosa the middle of June. For specifics, email rememberingdonmcgrath@gmail.com. Arrangements entrusted to: LAFFERTY & SMITH COLONIAL CHAPEL, Directors (707)539.2921