Obituary of Woodrow "Doe" Joseph McGrath, Glace Bay

It is with deep sorrow that we; his daughters; announce the passing of Da, “Doe” Woodrow Joseph McGrath on March 17th, 2022. While our hearts are broken we have comfort in knowing he is with Ma, the love of his life. Doe was born December 3, 1933, to the late John “Jack” and Mary (Wilson) McGrath. After the passing of both his parents in 1944, Da and his siblings were raised by Grannie Katie (Catherine) Wilson and Uncle Woosh (Woodrow) Wilson, who became a surrogate father to them all. Raised in Table Head, he shared many stories of the hijinks he and his brothers got up to. Just days before his passing he visited his old neighbors to reminisce about “the good old days”. He served in the Canadian Armed Forces, and served in Korea during the Korean War. Upon leaving the military, he and Helen left Toronto, moved their family home to Cape Breton. Da and Ma raised their family in Caledonia where he lived for 60 years; he loved his neighbors. He worked for DEVCO from 1962 until his retirement in 1995. Da was a Lifetime Member of Branch 3 Royal Canadian Legion, Glace Bay. He was Chairman of the Poppy Committee and Sergeant of Arms for 20 years. A well-respected member, he was always willing to lend a helping hand and greeted everyone with a smile. He always looked forward to spending many hours with the “Kitchen Crew” having tea and cookies, and at times having dances downstairs. Da loved to watch sports; his favorite hockey team was the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Yankees his favorite baseball team. During his younger years he played baseball, but his passion was hockey. Da played in the Colliery League for the Surface Team; many of his opposing teams nicknamed him “Dirty Doe”. Many summers during Miner’s Vacation were spent camping out Mira parked with the McGrath clan. Da loved to travel with family to New Brunswick, PEI and Halifax. He always looked forward to making his trips to Calgary to visit his daughters and grandchildren. The greatest trip he made was to Cassino, Italy to visit his father’s grave on the 75th anniversary of his death. Da was a huge fan of Elvis, and his house was filled with memorabilia he received over the years because we didn’t know what else to buy for him. He loved spending time in his garage having a beer with Uncle Willie telling their stories and cursing at each other. He was a member of Perry’s Gym for many years but spent more time talking then working out. Part of his morning routine was after the gym going to Foodland for his morning paper and talking to “the girls”. He is survived by his daughters, Mary-Ann (Hal), Libby (Jude), Jackie (Peter), and Catherine (Eric). A devoted grandfather to Megan (Mark), Christopher (Alyssa), Brian (Brittany), Eric (Carrie), Patrick (Ashley), Keagan (Jade); great-grandchildren, Rhyann, Eliana, Lucas, Briella, Ryder, Elexis, Bryson, Brady, Kayden, Sophia, John, Anakin and Everly, loving brother to Kay (Alex Meston) and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Da was predeceased by Ma (Helen Ann Croucher), only son, Bruce and granddaughter, Amber. Also predeceased by brothers and sisters-in-law, William (Chick) and Lorna, Michael (Shebby) and Rita, and baby sister, Melda and brother-in-law, Tommy. The visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022 from 2-4, 7-9 pm followed by the funeral service on Thursday, March 24th, 2022 at 11 a.m., all in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 16 Reserve Street, Glace Bay. Burial will take place at a later date in St. John’s Cemetery, Wallace Road, Glace Bay. A reception will take place following the service at Branch 3, RCL, Union Street, Glace Bay. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Doe may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or Branch 3, Royal Canadian Legion, Union Street, Glace Bay. On line condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca “Da will be missed so much by his family and many more.”