1954 ~ 2025
Mike McGrath, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother was born on June 16, 1954, in Washington Heights, New York City. He was the son of Grace LeRoy and Patrick McGrath and one of six children raised in a close-knit family that shaped his lifelong values of loyalty, fairness, and love for others. Mike embodied the very spirit of a true New Yorker, rooted in working-class grit, animated by a thick New York accent, and guided by a heart that never stopped giving.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Irene Baldwin; his son, Matt McGrath, and daughter-in-law Heather; his daughters, Grace McGrath and Lucy McGrath; and his cherished grandchildren, Wren and Violet, who all brought him immeasurable joy. He is also survived by his siblings Patrick McGrath, Kathleen Casey, and Rita McGrath. He was preceded in death by his brothers James and John McGrath.
For 31 years, he worked as a diesel mechanic and proudly served as a loyal union member and shop steward for TWU Local 100. He stood shoulder-to-shoulder with his colleagues through three strikes, fighting for fair wages, better benefits, and improved working conditions. He always believed that dignity and justice for workers were worth showing up for.
Though unmistakably a city man, his soul found its peace in nature. He found wonder in the pristine wilderness of the Adirondacks, where his heart was especially drawn to quiet riverbanks and the pursuit of beautiful brook trout. The Adirondacks also held deep personal meaning, as they were the place where he married the love of his life, Irene, at Paradox Lake Campground. Birdwatching, fishing, and sharing the quiet beauty of the natural world were among his greatest joys.
He possessed an infectious laugh, sharp wit, and a sense of humor that could spark a connection with anyone. His jokes, insights, and perfectly timed one-liners were part of the way he loved people: drawing them in, putting them at ease, and making them feel seen. His stories always lingered long after the conversation ended.
A voracious reader, he was rarely found without a book in hand. The library was one of his favorite places, and recommending books to friends and family was one of his love languages.
Above all else, he was a devoted family man and a doting father. He was the dad who showed up: school lunch “mom,” little league coach, basketball coach, chauffeur to school and doctor appointments, and companion to every extracurricular under the sun. His children always knew they could count on him, and his quiet acts of daily devotion became the foundation of their lives.
Michael McGrath lived a life full of laughter, integrity, curiosity, and love–for family, for nature, for justice, and for a good book. He worked hard, fought for others, loved deeply, and appreciated the simple but astonishing beauty of the world around him. His legacy lives on in his family, in the countless people he connected with, and in every river, trail, and library book that carries a bit of his spirit.
He will be profoundly missed and forever remembered.
A memorial gathering will be held on Friday, December 12th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Ave, Bronx, NY 10471. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, December 13th at 10:00 AM at St. Margaret of Cortona Church 6000 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471. Committal private.