Major (RET) Robert James McGrath Sr.

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Celebrating the life of
Major (RET) Robert James McGrath Sr.June 29, 1928 - November 04, 2016
2001 Grand Marshall St. Patrick's Day Parade

Major (RET) Robert James McGrath Sr., 88 of Richmond Hill died on November 4, 2016.

Robbie was born in Savannah, Georgia, the son of the late Anna Leonard McGrath Smith and Robert O’Keefe McGrath. He grew up in the Old Fort on east Broad Street where he attended Maris and Cathedral Elementary School. He graduated from Benedictine Military School where he played football and basketball for the Cadets. He attended Armstrong State College where he studied Business. He entered the United States Marine Corp and served three years. After leaving active duty he enlisted in the Army National Guard with the 118^th Field Artillery unit where he eventually received his commission a second lieutenant. He was selected as Commander of Battery B and served for 7 years and Commander of Battery A for 5 years. He retired from the Army National Guard at the rank of major.

Robbie worked in the trucking transportation industry for over 35 years. He has been a member of the St. Patrick’s Day parade committee since it started. He served as the Grand Marshall of the 2001 Saint Patrick’s Day parade. He served as the Commandant of the Marine Corp league and President of the exchange club of Richmond Hill.

He was an active member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Richmond Hill, GA. He was 4th degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus #10866. He was the lead usher in the church and taught religion classes. He was a recipient of the Bishop’s Garland award.

He married the love of his life Alieze Blanch Miner and immediately started their family of nine children and 25 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. He was admired by family and friends for his positive, upbeat personality. He was very proud of his children and their families, and always took a keen interest in his grandchildren. He was a true mentor to his children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his sister Mary Ann McGrath Felts. He is survived by his wife Alieze, his children Robert McGrath Jr., his wife Kathy and their children Megan and Erin; Theresa Neidlinger and her children Ellen, Dale and Andrew; Timothy McGrath, his wife Sophia and their children, Allie, Bobby, Timothy, Dorothy, Michael and Simon; William (Billy) McGrath and his son Will; Ann Marie Jones her husband Hammer and her children McCall and Hammer Jr.; John McGrath his wife Linda and their children Shawn and Abby; Mary Ellen Daniel, her husband Dallas and their children Dallas, Brennan, John Wesley and Matthew; David (Chris) McGrath, his wife Lauren and their children Mackenzie, Jack and Addison; and Patrick McGrath, his wife Allison and their children Reagan and Garrett.

The visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with the Rosary service at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, November 6, 2016 at St Anne’s Catholic Church in Richmond Hill.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 7, 2016.

Burial will follow in Hillcrest Abbey Memorial Park.

Remembrances. St. Anne’s Catholic Church Building Fund, 10550 Ford Ave., Richmond Hill, GA 31324.

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Billy,Timmy,John,and the whole McGrath family. I'm so sorry to hear about Mr. McGrath, he was a truly wonderful man,always happy and a Will be missed greatly. Stacey and my entire family send all of our love.

- Jeff Mell, Savannah, Ga

Sorry for your loss. Mr. McGrath was a good man and well respected by everyone that knew him. Praying for all the McGrath clan and friends. He will surely be missed by many.

- Kevin and Tonya Henderson, Richmond Hill, GA

Mrs. McGrath, Billy and your entire family, My thoughts and prayers go out to you. Mr. McGrath was a wonderful and kind man. He will be greatly missed... May God bless you all.

- Billy Winters, Port Saint Lucie, FL

Pat and Family, Our sincere sympathy on the loss of this wonderful man. May you be comforted by the love of family and friends at this difficult time.

- Bev Hildreth, Charleston, SC

So very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

- Judy & Mike Hibbs, Savannah, GA

Dear McGrath Family: I am so sorry for your loss. Uncle Robbie was my favorite uncle and a very special person. May he rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon him.

- Sheila Miner Galbreath, Richmond Hill, Ga

Lisa and I are so very sorry for your loss. I know how much Griffens grandfather ment to him, your extended family and the communities of Richmond Hill and Savannah.

- Lt Col and Mrs David and Lisa Henry, Winter Park, FL

Dear Mrs. McGrath and family, Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Mr. Mac was loved by so many people. He will be truly missed. What a legacy he has left; a wonderful loving family. God Bless you all! Lovingly, The Zuccarini Family Uncle Robert, Aunt Susu, Rob and Alex

- Robert and Susan Zuccarini and Family, Pembroke, Ga

Prayers and condolences to all of Robbie's family...it has been a very long time since I have seen him, wish I had made good on my promise to visit him when I visited Savannah. He was a friend of my family before I was born and I remember him as a happy, sweet man. God bless and comfort you all.

- Ginny Coburn McEarchern, Stockbridge , Ga

When I was a little girl Robbie would come by our house w/my cousin, Jim McAleer. I can still remember how he would lift me to the ceiling, and I remember asking him to marry me(Iwas around 5)...I'm now 71.In later yrs. I looked forward to seeing him in the parade, and he always remembered me and my family. He was larger than life and will be greatly missed.

- Sue Scudder Schmidt, Savannah, Ga.

Our deepest condolences go out to the entire McGrath family.

- Dan and Melissa Conley and Children, Richmond Hill, Ga

Our prayers go out to the McGrath Family.May His soul rest in peace. Corrie and Geraldine Williams

- Corrie and Geraldine Williams, Ssavannah, Ga.

thoughts and prayers are with all of you and eternal rest for Robbie. He will be missed greatly at St. Anns

- Bob and Theresa Mims, richmond hill, ga.

We are sorry for your troubles. May you be comforted by the fact that there is a grand party in Heaven's Irish Community welcoming another Old Fort boy!

- Ron and Sheila Winders, Savannah, Ga

My sincere condolences to the McGrath family. Mr. McGrath was one of those rare people who when he was speaking to you you felt like he had known you your entire life - a very genuine person who will be missed. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

- Scott Davis, Buford, GA

Our deepest condolences! Robbie always had a kind word and a smile for our family at mass each week. He will be greatly missed.

- Kurt & Diane Brannstrom, Richmond Hill, GA

My heart goes out to the entire family. Mr. McGrath had a heart of gold and he loved his family above everything else. When the grandkids were around, you could see the sparkle in his eye. May God give you all strength during this difficult time.

- Julie Neal, Midway , GA