John M. Mcgrath, Jr.

Schenectady -

On Monday, November 8, 2021, a prodigal son went home to stand judgment by his Lord and Savior.
Born on October 18, 1937, John M. McGrath, Jr. was the son of the late John M. McGrath, Sr. and Ethel A. (Link) McGrath.

John was born in Schenectady, NY and attended Nott Terrace High School. He joined the United States Army in 1954, where he served for three years during the Korean War Era. He continued a long and successful career in the United States Navy Seabees. He joined the Navy Reserve RMCB19 and served with them for eight years until going on active duty and assigned to the Navy Recruiting Station in Schenectady. In 1977, John was named Recruiter of the Year for the Naval Recruiting District for Albany, NY. In 1980, after re-enlisting, John went from USNR to USN and was assigned orders to the Naval MCB40 in Port Hueneme, California. After spending five years and being deployed, he returned to recruiting duty and received a medical discharge in 1987.

Following his retirement from military service as a disabled American veteran, he joined the US Postal Service, serving in Building Maintenance and Support in Schenectady.

He loved riding motorcycles and found a calling with the Patriot Guard Riders. He said it was a blessing and an honor to ride with his brothers and sisters, paying respect to those who will always be his family. I gave some-some gave ALL! John also had a love for his 1978 Lincoln Mark V and his 1989 T-Bird SC. Going to car shows was always a fun day.

He was a member of the Christian Motorcycle Association where he met his friend Bill W. He attributes this to the beautiful changes and blessings in his life. He was a faithful greeter at Grace Fellowship Church in Latham, a lifetime member of the 25th Infantry Division Association Tropic Lightning, the VFW Post 1498 in Clifton Park, and the United States Navy Seabee Veterans of America Island X-10 in Albany - 1st Class PO (CM-1) Association MCB 40 "Can Do."

In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his wife, Lola J. Riberdy, his brother, Dennis McGrath and his sister, Ellen Renzi. He is survived by his daughter, Michelle L. Ashley (Greg Brodus) and granddaughter, Mia Ashley of Albany; step-daughter, Jamie Corbett of Moyock, NC; nephew, Neil (Michelle) Renzi; step-daughters, Joann (Stephen) Savage of Ballston Lake, Pamela Riberdy of Latham, Angela Riberdy (Thomas Schnautz) of Georgia; step-son, Brian (Donna) Riberdy of Waterford and sister-in-law, Lynn (Charles) Savage of Syracuse.

The family would like to thank John's nurses from Hospice, who helped to take care of him over the last few weeks. They are angels among us. We would also like to thank all of his friends for their love and support.

A Calling hour will be held on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at Grace Fellowship Church, 20 Delatour Rd #1, Watervliet, NY 12189 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at Grace Fellowship Church at 11:00 am. Inurnment will follow in Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd., Schuylerville, NY at 2:30 pm

Donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 , the Patriot Guard Riders (NY), PGRNY, Attn: Treasurer, PO Box 637,Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 or the Destroyer Escort Historical Museum, USS Slater DE766, P.O. Box 1926, Albany, NY 12201.