Obituary of Francis J. McGrath

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Francis Joseph McGrath of LaGrange, New

York, who died peacefully at home, at the age of 95 on September 3rd, 2024. We are thankful

that Joe is at rest in his Heavenly Home. He was born May 5th, 1929 in Brooklyn, New York.

Joe grew up in Our Lady of Angels Orphanage in Syosset, Long Island and transitioned to Saint

Johns Home in Brooklyn, New York for High School. During his early teenage years, he worked

at Ebbets Field and Yankee Stadium selling scorecards, popcorn and peanuts. He then wanted

to give back to Our Lady of Angels Orphanage and became a caregiver in a boys dorm. While

there he met Sister Mary Magellan who introduced him to the Kerr family. The Kerr’s lovingly

embraced Joe and he became part of their family. He served proudly in the United States Navy

as an Interior Communications Electrician Third Class on a submarine during the Korean War.

He received the National Defense Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Joe met his one true love,

Joan Kamps, at a church dance and they were married October 18th, 1958. They shared 65

years of love and companionship. He worked for Sperry Rand, in Queens, New York for 10

years and then moved to Poughkeepsie where he worked for IBM for 30 years. Joe was a

devote Catholic and parishioner of the Church of Holy Trinity for 60 years. He enriched the lives

of the people he met with his infectious spirit and sense of humor. Joe was a devoted husband,

father and provider for his family. Joe is survived by his wife Joan E. McGrath at home, his

daughter Elizabeth McGrath-Hammond of Highland, New York, son-in-law, Mark Hammond of

Highland, New York and his 3 grandsons Christopher Hammond, Benjamin Hammond and

Charles Haight IV. Joe was predeceased by his daughter, Patricia McGrath-Haight. He was

also predeceased by his adopted Kerr family, mother and father, Catherine and John Kerr and

his siblings Rev. Francis Kerr of the Passionate Order, Rev. John the Baptist of the Passionate

Order and Monsignor Joseph Kerr of the Holy Spirit Parish in Perth Amboy, New Jersey; his

sisters, Helen Price, Catherine Colon, Margaret Kenley, Veronica Sullivan; his brothers John

Kerr, Thomas Kerr, and Patrick Kerr.

We also want to express gratitude to the wonderful women who cared for Joe. Thank you

Chassidy, Jackie and Aderline for your patience and guidance. Also, we want to thank his

special neighbor Jennifer Gyger for always watching over him.

Calling Hours will be held On Sunday September 8^th, 2024 from 2pm to 5pm at the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home 371 Hooker Ave. Poughkeepsie, New York 12603.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10am on Monday September 9^th 2024 at Holy Trinity Church Poughkeepsie, NY. Burial will follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery Poughkeepsie.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly request you consider donations to the Church of the Holy Trinity,

Poughkeepsie New York, http://holytrinitypoughkeepsie.church giving.com, in his memory,

Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital, mskcc.org, in memory of his daughter, Patricia McGrath-

Haight or Hospice, http://www.hospice.org/donate-now, in his memory. 

If you would like to leave a online condolence please visit our website at www.doylefuneralhome.com