SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP — Francis Richard McGrath, age 90, of Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio, died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, at Saybrook Landing in Saybrook Township.
The son of Frank and Mary (White) McGrath, he was born in Cleveland on May 1, 1922. He graduated from Cleveland Tech High School and Ohio State University.
Frank was a Veteran of the United States Army Air Corps (8th Air Force) during World War II. He was a navigator of a B17 until it was shot down over the Netherlands; he then spent the rest of the war as a POW in Germany. After the war, he served in the Air Force Reserves for 8 years and retired with the rank of Captain.
Frank married his wonderful wife, Meta (married 65 years) in 1947 and then raised his family in Twinsburg, Ohio. He worked as a Tool and Die maker (precision machinist) for over 35 years. He worked for several companies including Thompson Products and Colony Tool and retired from Lear Siegler in Maple Heights.
After his daughter, Kathy, became an exchange student to Denmark, he served as President of the local chapter of AFS.
Frank enjoyed traveling. He traveled around the country several times and wanted to visit every state in the union. This goal was completed just three years ago when he visited Alaska. He was a snowbird traveling between Indian Creek resort in the summer and Cloverleaf Campground in Brooksville, Fla., in the winter. Frank also enjoyed Mary’s Kitchen, the “D” Day Celebration, Indian Creek Chapel, parades, fireworks and popcorn.
He will be remembered for his loyalty to his wife and family, his hard work to raise his family and his highly ethical behavior. He was a great role model.
Frank was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Catherine “May”; his sister, Virginia Fordyce; his brothers, Robert “Bob” and William “Bill”; and his daughter, Kathleen “Kathy” Buccini.
He is survived by his wife, Meta Elizabeth of Geneva-on-the-Lake; his daughters, Linda of Chardon, Barbara (Don) Vycital of Titusville, Fla., and Marylou (Russ) Starcher of Brooksville, Fla.; his sons, Frank of Twinsburg, Daniel (Donna) of Geneva-on-the-Lake and Pat (Bernadette) of Denver, Colo.; his son-in-law, Chuck Buccini of Hilliard, Ohio; his grandchildren, Scott, Michelle, Rusty (Patty), Kevin (Gretchen), Danielle (Bill), David, Elvis, Corrine (Dwain), Laura (Jesse), Nichole, Sean and Rebecca; his great-grandchildren, Nicole, Kyle, Sydney, Jocelyn, Deanna, RJ and Jack; and his great-great-granddaughter, Selena.
The Rev. James Douglass will lead a short Graveside Service, which will be conducted with Full Military Honors at the Ohio Western Reserve National Veterans Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio. The Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Dec. 21st.
The McGrath family would like to thank all the caring staff at Saybrook Landing for the excellent therapy and nursing services he received.
Arrangements by WALKER FUNERAL HOME, 828 Sherman St., Geneva. Obituary and condolences at starbeacon.com.
