Name: Celebration of Life for Michael John McGRATH
Start: 2017-08-26T23:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-08-27T02:00:00.000Z
Location: residence of Barry & Cristy Asher

McGRATH, Michael John Michael (Mike) John McGrath, age 71, of Petaluma, California, passed away on Sunday evening, July 30, 2017 at his home, after a battle with cancer. Born May 13, 1946, in Berkeley, California, he was the son of the late Louis H. McGrath and the late Vivian L. (Coffman) McGrath. Mike graduated from El Cerrito High School in 1964 and Chico State College in 1968 with a degree in business. As a left-handed professional bowler he would win ten PBA Tour titles and was ranked 39th on the 2009 list of the 50 Greatest Players in PBA History. He was inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame in 1983, and the PBA Hall of Fame in 1988. In addition to many 300 games, Mike, an avid golfer, stroked a hole-in-one on the 8th, at Simi Hills Golf Club, in December 1989. Mike won the first of his three Classic Team titles at the American Bowling Congress (now USBC) Open Championships at the 1969 event in Madison, Wisconsin. The 1970 event in Knoxville, Tennessee, saw the first Classic Team rolloff series at the Open Championships, and Mike converted a 1-3-6-9 spare to give his team the title by eight pins. That year he also took home his second consecutive PBA National Championship, made four consecutive PBA television finals and led the tour in money won. He teamed with fellow left-handers for his third Classic Team title at the 1972 Open Championships in Long Beach, California. In 1973, he became the first left-hander to win the U.S. Open when he beat fellow Hall of Famers Dick Ritger, Dave Davis, and, in the title match, Earl Anthony, in Madison Square Garden in New York. After retiring from bowling Mike had a long and successful career as a columnist for Bowlers Journal, answering bowlers' questions as "The Coach" and writing about the history and techniques of bowling and detailing the lives of interesting and unique bowlers. In addition, Mike traveled the western United States as an equipment salesperson for AMF, Brunswick, and Western Bowling for many decades. He retired in 2005 to care for his mother. Mike is survived by his wife, Nickola Frye-McGrath; his children Jennifer McGrath, Kerry McGrath Crooks (Matthew), and Donovan McGrath (Stacy); his step-children Tracy Haseltine (Mike) and Jen Mendes (Eric); his grandchildren Paul, Halen, Treyton, Ethan, Riley, and Tommy; and his step-grandchildren Erick, Leni, Porfirio, and Maria. He is also survived by his many cousins and friends, including Barry Asher, who was there for Mike for over 50 years. Saturday August 26 will soon be upon us. This is the day we, friends and family, will be celebrating the life of Mike McGrath. We hope all, who are available, will join us at the residence of Barry & Cristy Asher - 3058 Capri Lane, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Bring memories and an empty stomach because all who knew Mike, know that he loved to eat and share good times. Mike's family and friends look forward to celebrating with you between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 26. If you are inclined, donations may be made to the San Francisco Junior Giants Program at http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/sf/gcf/junior-giants/about/

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

Published by Press Democrat from Aug. 11 to Aug. 12, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael McGRATH

4 Entries

Pat Namanny

May 8, 2018

I just learned of Mike having passed away today, when reading the obituary portion of the CSU Chico alumni magazine, and looked up further details online. Mike grew up across the street from me on Colusa Ave. in El Cerrito, and although he was 7 years older than I, he oftentimes took time out to play catch with me. His mother, Vivian, was our family seamstress, and Mike was always a very affable fellow. We all watched with pride his accomplishments on the PBA Tour and although we didn't see much of him after his bowling success, he was always extremely humble and remained the same "Mike" we knew and remembered from his youth, just a great guy. I wish I'd known of the memorial service, as I most certainly would have attended. I have a number of great memories of both Mike and his mother, Vivian, which I would have shared.
Pat Namanny
Laguna Niguel, CA

harry fitch

January 7, 2018

Just learned of Mike's passing today (1/7/18) when I googled his name. While I was a tour staff member for the PBA during the mid 70s Mike, Mike Lastowski, and I became sort of a triumvirate of lefties and did a number of things together. Most memorable was our trip one January or February in Mike's motor home from the Las Vegas tournament to Denver. We found ourselves venturing through southwestern Utah with gear problems. Fortunately, we found a mechanic on a Sunday morning in Richfield, Utah, who was able to fix the problem. We then trekked on safely to Denver. We thought of getting T-shirts to commemorate our Richfield visit but passed up the opportunity. I will always cherish my memories of such a dynamic fellow leftie as Mike. Although months have passed since he died, I hope you, his family and friends, have learned a little more about Mike's PBA life. Hopefully this will add another smile to your memories of him.

Lenny Nicholson

August 12, 2017

Rest in Peace, my friend.

You were one of the good guys.

God Bless you.

Lenny

August 11, 2017

Frequently watched Mike on the highly-rated, network nationally televised winter "Pro Bowlers' Tour" events on the ABC network.

In the early-mid '70s, ABC's "Pro Bowlers' Tour" was positioned in a prime slot on their Saturday afternoon lineup, and it regularly attracted many more viewers than golf's PGA Tour events from that era. It was truly the "Golden Age" of bowling, and Mike was a prominent figure in that star-studded field of regular qualifiers and winners. Mike's induction into the USBC and PBA Halls of Fame is evidence of the remarkable abilities he possessed, and his legendary stature in the game.

Congratulations on a distinguished career and life, Mike, and thank you for all of the wonderful, exciting, and memorable performances on the lanes. Rest In Peace.

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