Church Volunteer, World Traveler Dies at 81

Mass of Christian Burial for Burnsville resident James Joseph “Jim” McGrath will take place Tuesday at Mary, Mother of the Church, according to a Wise Family Funeral & Cremation Services obituary.

McGrath died Thursday at Augustana Care Center in Hastings at the age of 81.

He was born Feb. 8, 1932, in Irondequoit, NY, graduated from St. Salome School, attended John Marshall High School and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Rochester.

He worked as a salesman to graphics markets for Eastman Kodak Company from 1952 to 1986.

He married Mary Colette Zabolio on June 27, 1987, at St. Charles Catholic Church in Genoa, WI.

McGrath volunteered at Mary, Mother of the Church in Burnsville, where he was honored:

• For 25 years of service with Stephen Ministry as a spiritual guide for the Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA),
  
• As a member of the prayer group service team,
  
• As a volunteer with the RENEW program,
  
• As a Eucharistic Minister and
  
• As a Presider for Communion services.
  

He also served on the Deacon Advisory Board for the Archdiocese of Minneapolis/St. Paul and was cofounder of Mary’s Shelter—in addition to volunteering with Traveler’s Assistance at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport for five years.

Before marrying, he traveled to Europe, Russia, Morocco, the Canary Islands, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, Turkey and Egypt. He and his wife honeymooned in Bermuda and traveled together to Europe, Russia, Costa Rica, New Zealand and Australia.

McGrath enjoyed golf with his friends and bird watching with Mary. He was known for his regular, daily walks on Nicollet Avenue—rain, shine or snow—to get his coffee and read the paper.

“Jim touched many lives as a caring and supportive listener,” the obituary stated. “His twinkling blue eyes and Irish humor brought joy to those in his company. Jim offered a stable and reliable presence to others and was truly an honorable gentleman. He believed that when troubles came it was important to ‘look for the gift.’”

McGrath developed Lewy Body Dementia but continue to enjoy regular visitors, Mass and communion, especially when he could attend Mass at Mary, Mother of the Church and visit his home.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters. He is survived by his wife, three sisters and “a large extended Irish family and many friends.”

Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Mary, Mother of the Church (3333 Cliff Road, Burnsville), with visitation two hours. Burial will be at 9:45 a.m. Friday in St. Charles Cemetery in Genoa, WI.