2015 -- H 5780

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF WILLIAM H. MCGRATH

     Introduced By: Representatives Fogarty, Winfield, Nardolillo, Lancia, and Hull

     Date Introduced: March 04, 2015

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with profound sadness that this House has learned of the passing of

William H. McGrath, on February 24, 2015, at Rhode Island Hospital in the company of his

family; and

     WHEREAS, William McGrath was born in Providence, Rhode Island, the son of the late

William and Ann McGrath, and was a resident of Cranston, Rhode Island, since 1959. He was the

loving husband for fifty-five years of Carol McGrath; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. McGrath graduated from Blessed Sacrament School, LaSalle Academy,

and from the New England Institute of Anatomy and Applied Sciences and Embalming. He

officially began his funeral service career in 1954, working for his late grandfather, James F.

Skeffington, but got his real start much earlier in life when, as a youngster, he helped his

grandfather by running errands and washing cars for the funeral home; and

     WHEREAS, In January of 1964, Mr. McGrath became an associate with the Russell J.

Boyle and Son Funeral Home, a relationship that lasted for fifty-one years. In that capacity he

tenderly comforted countless families during their moments of pain and grief. He was always

very grateful to Tom and Tender Boyle, and the late Russell and Rita Boyle, for their support and

generosity throughout the years; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. McGrath held numerous positions within the funeral service industry

during his exemplary career. He was an active participant in the Rhode Island Funeral Directors

Association, and was a member of the Heritage Club of the National Funeral Directors

Association and served as the Inspector of Funeral Homes and Crematories for the State of Rhode

Island; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. McGrath was an active parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Church, and

served, until his passing, as a Trustee of the church, a Eucharistic Minister, and as a member of

the Blessed Sacrament School Board. He also was a member of the Sons of Irish Kings, a life

member of the Cranston Council Knights of Columbus, and proudly served as a member of the

Board of Trustees at Guest House; and

     WHEREAS, Besides his wife, William McGrath leaves behind two daughters, Michaela

Hood and her husband, David, and Karen Sheil and her husband, John "Jack" McKenna Sheil. He

also leaves behind his sister, Ann "Nancy" Cotter, and several nieces and nephews; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby expresses its condolences to the McGrath Family on the passing of

William H. McGrath; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mrs. Carol A. McGrath.

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