Richard 'Rick' McGrath, 89, died unexpectedly but peacefully on October 1, 2025, at the Esplanade Living Center in Palisades, NY.

Born on January 19, 1936, in New York, NY, the first child of Charles & Anna McGrath. Rick graduated from high school with the Class of 1954 & then joined the US Naval Service where he served for four years. Here is where he learned his trade to be a Radio & Communication Operator, which lead him to work for the NY Telephone company for over 25 years. He started as a linesman in the field & worked his way to upper Management during his time with the "phone company".

Rick had a knack for all things mechanically inclined & he loved to work in his garagebuilding decorative & functional products- ie the wishing well planters he gave everyone one year for Christmas. He was an avid sports fan and loved his NY teams, but his passion for Golf shined through until just a few years ago when his legs wouldn't allow him to walk the course any longer. Rick also was an active member of the Orangetown Volunteer Fire Department for the last 50 years and enjoyed many roles during that time including being trained as a Fire Fighter until transitioning to more back-office responsibilities for the annual Carnival fundraiser and he may have on an occasion or two been Santa Claus during their toy drive. He was truly an Irish storyteller who enjoyed sharing his tales and always welcomed you with a smile.

Rick married his first and only love Constance McGrath who predeceased him by only five months and they would have celebrated 65 years of marriage this past June.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his two sisters, Carol Keenan and Christy Shennigan. His surviving family members include his younger Brother Charles McGrath his daughter Donna and her husband Brian Clark and son Richard McGrath; his four grandchildren, Matthew, Marcus, Nicole and Robert, and one great grandchild Chayce along with his many nieces and nephews.

A service of remembrance will be held at Moritz Funeral Home,  348 Closter Dock Rd., Closter, NJ on Sunday, October 5th, 4 to 8 pm. A Funeral Mass will be at St. Catherine's Church in Blauvelt, NY at 11:30 am on Monday October 6th.

Those who wish to remember Rick in a special way, we ask for you to make a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in his honor.

Scroll down for funeral details.

Please note that visitation will be at the Closter location.

Thank You