Leonard Joseph McGrath died on June 8, 2020. Leonard ‘Len’ was a retired U.S. Department of Defense Program Manager, who devoted more than thirty-years to government service. He was also a decorated veteran, serving in the 82nd Airborne during the Korean war. During the Vietnam war, Mr. McGrath flew missions under the equivalent rank of Major in the U.S. Air Force. During his career, Len had assignments around the world, including Japan, Taipei, England, completing his career in Washington DC.

Len was also an accomplished inventor, earning several patents, including for his activewear clothing line Comfortcell™ Thermalwear and Sheet Piling Alignment Fixture, a device used in industry to this day.

Mr. McGrath was born on May 15, 1931, and grew up in Tilting Newfoundland – a small fishing village on Fogo Island in Canada. When the U.S. Army Air Corp rapidly descended upon the little allied village in 1941 to build a top-secret radar installation as a first-warning system against a German invasion, Len became the ten-year-old base “mascot.” It was during these war years that he developed a great love for America. At the age of 18, he joined the U.S. Army to earn his U.S. citizenship.

Leonard McGrath was born to Austin and Agnes McGrath of Tilting, Newfoundland. Their large family included Leonard and his four brothers, Justin, Joseph, Fergus, Myles(deceased) and four sisters, Florence Crocker, Catherine Hickey (deceased), Loretta Higgins (deceased), and Ellen McCurdy. Leonard is survived by Nancy McGrath, his loving wife of thirty-seven years. Leonard has three sons Joseph, James, and John, as well as his two daughters Anne Marie Henry and Helene Trevino from his first wife, Eileen Queenan McGrath (deceased). Leonard has seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Mass and Memorial will be held in Orlando, Florida.