Obituary of Kevin J. McGrath

Kevin grew up in Burlington, MA to the late Bob and Louise McGrath before moving to Harwich, MA where he built his career as a carpenter. He rehabbed the boat he loved with his carpentry skills. Kevin turned scrap wood into masterpieces of art in the form of bars, cabinets and everything in between. What most saw as junk, Kevin saw as a piece of art just waiting to be put together. When Kevin wasn’t working with wood, many times you’d find him drawing. He shared his art work with his family and friends and those gifts will last a lifetime for many. If he couldn’t put a pencil to paper, he could put a hammer to a nail. When Kevin wasn’t working as a carpenter, he was spending his time with his family and friends. In the warm summer months, he could be found on his Harley or on his boat. He loved to spend his time in control of an engine. Both the boat he restored with his own hands and the Harley were his prized possessions. You could easily find Kevin sleeping on his boat on the warm summer nights. He would relish in the tales of his trips on his bike such as the time he drove it to Key West, Florida. He was so excited to travel to the southernmost point of the United States. Even more importantly to Kevin was his love for animals. As a child, Kevin nursed more animals back to health than most people have possessed in a lifetime.  His desire to connect with nature had him feeding wild ducks and teaching his nieces and nephews how to safely hand them. When Kevin came into contact with an animal that didn’t immediately trust him, he would spend hours gaining that trust. The time it took didn’t matter, Kevin always wanted all animals to know they were safe while he was in their company. During the last years of Kevin’s life, he found solace in his great nieces and nephews. He always made sure to have candy and treats on hand for their visits. He was famous for his cupcake parties that always had to be at the bar that he built out of leftover wood. His love for the children in his life will have lasting memories for decades to come. Kevin is survived by his siblings, Warren Meehan and his wife Donna of Arizona, Audrey Cain and her husband Robert of Billerica, Robert McGrath and his wife Tana of California, Tracy Bernard and her husband John of Medford. He was also survived by his brother-in-law, Frank Nunziato. He was predeceased by his sister Maureen Oravetz and Mary Beth Nunziato and his nephew Gary Oravetz. Kevin was also the proud uncle of Laurie Callahan, Robert Jr. and Richard Cain, Amanda Griswold, Jordan Oravetz, Justin, Jalen, Jovohn and Kylee Bernard, Michael Meehan and Lisa Nagel. He was an even prouder Great Uncle to Camryn and Avery Griswold, Siana Bernard, Devin and Madilyn Callahan, Taylor and Ryan Nagel, Jena Meehan, and Joey and Lexie Apolito. A Celebration of life will be held on Mar 26, 2022 at the VFW 12 Phiney St. Billerica, MA 01862 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Family and friends are welcome to attend.