Harry A. McGrath began his life in Johnson County, Wyoming, near Buffalo. He was born to A. Roy and Edith (Scott) McGrath and was the first of six boys. The family lived on a ranch and Harry would ride his Shetland pony MerryLegs to school each day. Always hard working, he was a very good student, skipping two grades and graduating from Sheridan High School at age 16 in 1931. It was the Great Depression, and it took 5 years of working and saving money before Harry was able to enter the University of Denver to study accounting. He lived with a family near campus, working for them in exchange for room and board. Harry also worked as a hospital orderly, grocery store clerk, bookkeeper, and teacher's assistant to pay his tuition. College was a wonderful experience for him. For the first time he wasn't younger and smaller than the rest of his class. He joined a fraternity and got the opportunity to organize and attend dances and socials. On weekends, if he had any time off, he would head for the mountains with friends to snow ski. One of his teeth met the hard end of a ski pole, but skiing remained a much enjoyed activity during that time.
After graduation, Harry's first job was with IBM in New York, followed by an accounting position at Lockheed. The company was building Allied war planes, which gave him a deferment from the draft. However, since his three younger brothers had already enlisted in the Navy, Harry resigned and enlisted as well. He was an officer on a dangerous LST landing ship in the South Pacific and finished the war helping with Japan's surrender. The war was something he seldom talked about, but we knew his ship was hit by enemy fire and he witnessed several casualties.
Following the war, Harry joined his parents and brothers in Seattle. Only four McGrath boys remained, as he lost two brothers (both at age 14) to polio and rheumatic fever.
He went to work for San Juan Fishing and Packing Co., where he met our mother Juanita (aka Nete, Nita). He was smart enough to know what a treasure she was, and on July 9, 1949 they were married at Holy Family Catholic Church in Seattle and settled in Mount Vernon, WA. All three of their children were born there and Harry devoted his time to his family, his work, and the Catholic Church and school in Mt. Vernon.
In 1969, Harry became comptroller of Albany Frozen Foods, so the family moved to Albany, OR. From there he worked at White's Electronics in Sweet Home and then operated his own business, Computer Accounting. In 1980 his son John opened his first McGrath's Fish House restaurant, where Harry was instrumental in its success by providing both financial support and accounting expertise. McGrath's continued to expand, and Harry worked diligently to ensure the restaurants' success, until his retirement at age 84 in 1999.
Harry and Nita enjoyed several trips to various parts of North America and Europe and when Nita died in 2011 it was a crushing blow for him. Never one to complain, he kept adapting and accepting what life threw at him. She was always the patient and funny one in their marriage while he was the strength and protector. It worked wonderfully for them for 61 years.
Harry exemplified the traits of the Greatest Generation and will always be remembered by us for his strong religious beliefs, his impeccable work ethic, his honesty, his love of country and family and his unflinching strength. He will also be remembered for his horrible driving!
Though he was the oldest of six boys, he was the last one to pass away.
He is survived by his son John and wife Debbie of Salem and their children Krista, Lori and Justin, son Jim and his wife Debbie of Albany, and his daughter Denise Parker and husband Wayne and their children Annie and Jeff. There are also five great grandchildren who delighted him thoroughly. He was much admired and loved and will be greatly missed.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's or the charity of your choice.

Funeral will be held on Friday, Jan. 9, 11:00 a.m., at St. Mary's Catholic Church, preceded by a Rosary at 10:30 a.m. at the church.