Daniel James McGrath

TOWNSEND - Dan McGrath, age 56, long-time Townsend resident passed away peacefully on April 25th, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was a loving husband to Kim (Young) for nearly 29 years - and childhood sweetheart/best friend for 41 years. He was the very proud father of his precious daughter Emily as well as his adored and inspiring son, Daniel Jr.

Dan was born in Arlington, MA on November 19, 1964, son of Marilyn & Thomas Henry McGrath III. He was also the beloved grandson of his “Nana & Papa” Mary & Bernard Gray and much loved brother of Pam & Kevin McCluskey and Thomas Henry McGrath IV. Dan was also a very fun-loving uncle to Chris, Kate, Tommy, Sean, Jason and Jill. He will also be missed dearly by his in-laws Janice Young and Dawn & Alan Bradbook. His spunky dog “Eli” will especially miss him too.

Before settling in Townsend, Dan lived in Arlington, Chelmsford, Hudson and Westford but mostly grew-up in Pepperell and graduated North Middlesex Regional High School Class of ‘83. He worked his own way through college at Middlesex Community College & his beloved alma mater Boston University where he graduated with honors with a Bachelors in Environmental Science & Geology.

He loved all sports from playing street football in the “Pepperell Pines” with his cousins and buddies to lettering in both track & football in high school under his inspirational coaches Bob Day & Sandy Ruggles both of Townsend, MA. Although Dan’s beloved father passed away when he was young, he always said “His Papa, Uncle Bernie and his coaches were the most impactful men of his life”. His love of sports extended beyond school as he enjoyed several fun-filled years playing Men’s Softball for “Larry’s Hot Dogs” with his friends and was a BIG fan of the Boston Red Sox, Bruins & Celtics but most of all he loved watching “The New England Patriots (TB12) in his garage “man-town” warming by his woodstove and especially cheering on his kids playing their many sports (rain or shine).

Dan also enjoyed playing guitar with Emery, his buddies & cousin Bernie and especially during his teenage years with his young nephew Chris underfoot (as well as later talking “music-talk” with Chris as he grew up into the great man he is today too).

On Winter weekends he was an avid skier. In Summers, he enjoyed his family trip to Ireland, the many camping trips with all his cousin’s families as well as his favorite long road-trip vacations to Canada, Maine, Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks especially. He also enjoyed his years on Long-sought for Pond, taking meticulous care of his yard and especially diving and relaxing in his pool with family & friends.

Dan was a hard-working man with a very strong work ethic. He truly enjoyed working his teenage Summers out in the fields of both Wilkins and Patenaude Farms, then during his college years in construction and especially loved being a well-respected land surveyor at H&R Survey, Landtech Consultants Inc and Hancock Survey where he got to enjoy his passion “surveying” in the great outdoors of the vast New England Countryside to the prestigious penthouses and commercial city buildings and landmarks of Cambridge and Boston. During his later years he worked diligently using his expertise in geology and math working for William Stone and especially his long-time career at Fletcher Granite in Westford, MA who has been so good to his family through Dan’s battle with cancer. Dan truly had a passion for understanding land history and preservation which shined through his avid hobby of researching and collecting old maps.

McGRATH - Daniel J., of Townsend. April 25, 2021. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to visiting hours in the McGaffigan Family Funeral Home, 37 Main Street (Rte. 113) Pepperell, MA on Saturday, May 1 from 9 - 11 AM followed by graveside services in Pepperell Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to VNA Hospice & Palliative Care 120 Thomas St., Worcester, MA 01608 or online at www.vnacare.org/donors (with many thanks to Carolyn, Sheila, Andy, and Helen for all their assistance to Dan & Kim during Dan’s end of life care at home as per Dan’s wishes). Please see www.mcgaffiganfuneral.com