Obituary of Anthony W. McGrath, Sr.

Anthony (Tony) Wallace McGrath Senior (1952-2024)

Anothony (Tony) McGrath, 72, of Billerica, MA, left this world surrounded by his family on April 18, 2024.  He transitioned over from his loved ones after courageously battling cancer for many years.  

Tony lived a very colorful life, rich with family and friends.  He was born in Rome, Italy in 1952.  He was adopted at the age of 6 by Wallace and Julia McGrath of Newton, MA.  He served in the Air Force from 1970-1973.  Following that, he went on to work as a chef at Prince Grotto from 1974-1977.  He then served in the Army National Guard for ten years where he earned the rank of Sergeant (E4).   

It was hitchhiking in Billerica where he met his wife Betty in 1977.  Betty was in the car with brother-in-law who knew Tony pulled over to offer him a ride.  Tony later called to inquire about Betty’s dating status and hearing that she was single asked her out on a date.  Although their relationship didn’t receive a lot of support initially, Tony and Betty were married at a friend’s home in 1979.  On March 18, 2024 they celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary.     

Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Tony knew he was a passionate individual.  Two of his lifelong passions were mechanics and cooking.  He spent a lot of time as a mechanic and was always willing to take a look at or listen to you explain the current challenge you were having with anything that has wheels.  He also spent a lot of time cooking; whether it was to host a family dinner, serve a holiday meal, or make a dish for an event if he wasn’t out in the garage or driveway you could often find him in a kitchen.   

He found comfort in religion later in life.  He was baptized at the Bay Area Church of Christ in FL in 2011 and became an active member of the Burlington Church of Christ in MA the same year.  It was there he met his loving mentor and friend Dom Ballerini.  He and Tony dedicated many hours to Bible study and cooking for the Men’s Breakfast there.    

Though Tony had many passions, kids and grandkids were his single greatest treasure.  He was called ‘Papa’ by so many.  Besides those listed below the family would like to acknowledge how important Michelle Willis and her children Patience, Aidan, and Serenity were to him.       

He is survived by his children Christina (McGrath) Gonzalez of FL; Melissa (McGrath) Logan and her husband Kenny, Anthony (Tony) Jr McGrath, and Frank McGrath all of MA.

He is survived by his grandchildren Tyler Gonzalez, Ryan Gonzalez, and Savannah (Savi) Gonzalez of FL as well as Christian Hudson, Maryanne Hudson, Madison Logan, and Sophia (Ciel) Beal-Hudson of MA. 

He is also survived by his wife Betty (Brazee) McGrath of MA, mother-in-law Anna Brazee of MA and sisters Marceline (Marcia) Higgins of FL and Elisa Conroy and her partner Mark of NH.

He is also survived by many loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Wallace and Julia McGrath, his father-in-law David Brazee, and little Angel Moises Gonzalez all of MA.

Visiting Hours will be held, Friday, April 26, in the Burns Funeral Home, 354 Boston Rd., (Rt. 3A),Billerica from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Military Honors will be at 6:30 PM. Relatives and friends invitied, 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St Jude Children's Research Hospital and/or any veterans charity you deem worthy.

All are welcome to the Burlington Church of CHRIST on Saturday, April 27, at 11:00 am for a Celebration of Life.