Thomas McGrath Obituary

Thomas R. McGrath STATESVILLE - Thomas R. McGrath, 63, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009, ending his valiant battle with multiple myeloma. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Linda Lane McGrath; his son, Brian McGrath of Charlotte; his daughter, Melissa Ellis of Broadlands, Va.; a daughter- in-law, Jennifer; a son-in-law, Sean; and the "apples of his eye," his five granddaughters, Stephanie, Samantha, Sabrina, Anna and Caroline. Mr. McGrath is also survived by his brother, Everett McGrath Jr. of Bradenton, Fla., and his sister, Clavon Knowles McGrath of Chichester, N.H. Mr. McGrath was born in Norfolk on Nov. 26, 1945, to the late Everett and Cleo McGrath. He graduated from Great Bridge High School in 1964 and served in the U.S. Air Force. In 1970, he joined the National Security Agency, retiring in 2000 after 30 years of service. Mr. McGrath found great pleasure during his retirement years in Florida and North Carolina, spending time with family and friends, boating, fishing and working in his yard. His family will miss his humor and his love of life but know his work here is over and that his spirit will live on for eternity. A memorial service will be held for Mr. McGrath at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009, at the Troutman Funeral Home Chapel. The family will greet friends at the funeral home from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Ave., 5th floor, Norwalk, CT 06851. Friends and family are invited to sign the guestbook for Mr. McGrath at www.troutmanfuneralhome.com.