Bryson Scott McGrath

After a courageously-fought battle with cancer lasting 1,027 days, Bryson Scott McGrath, lovingly known as “Goose” or “Goosie”, age five, of Prescott, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully in the arms of his family on September 26, 2025. Though his time on this earth was heartbreakingly short, the joy, love, and light he brought into the world will ripple through eternity.

Goose was the silliest (and sometimes scariest) goose in the pond. His personality was as colorful as his vocabulary and his adult sense of humor was full of surprises. He was vibrant, his antics unforgettable, and his heart pure gold.

Bryson was a boy whose spirit was larger than life. He loved trains — especially Thomas and Friends — and could spend hours building endless tracks with his beloved Dada. SpongeBob was another favorite, and he never missed a chance to laugh at the nonsense of his underwater friends.

He had the soul of a performer and a heart that beat in rhythm with music. Bryson loved to sing and dance, often putting on a show for anyone lucky enough to be near. His playlist was as unique as he was: “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan, “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga, “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar, “Chop Suey” by System of a Down, “All Night Long” by Lionel Richie, “All the Small Things” by Blink-182, and of course, “Gary Come Home” from SpongeBob. Each song became his stage.

Food was another great love in Bryson’s world. He delighted in steak quesadillas from Taco Bell, spanish rice with refried beans from his favorite restaurant Las Margaritas, “sketti”, and caesar salad. But nothing rivaled his passion for “white milk,” a request he never asked, but demanded.

Bryson was most at peace at home, in the comfort of his pajamas and soft blankets. He cherished going to baseball games, and thanks to Shohei Ohtani, he became the world’s biggest Dodgers fan. He also loved playing Roblox and Minecraft with his “bro” on their “pones,” laughing and creating together in the digital world.

To know Bryson was to know joy. His smile was magic, his laughter was music, and his tender heart left an imprint on everyone, even those he never met. Even in the face of illness, he showed a strength and courage that humbled those around him.

He is survived by his devoted parents, Lily and Sebastian McGrath, and his loving big brother, Paxton. His memory will forever be cherished by his grandparents, Heidi Landon, Brian and Julie Schrieber, Paul and Jenni Hansen, Dennis McGrath, and Jeremy Landon.

He was also deeply loved by his great-grandparents, William Thaemert, Sally Brown and Vickie Miller, Susan Johnson, Keith and Pam Schrieber, Mary Hansen, Constance Sanders, Kay McGrath, Tom and Dawn Landon-Boice, and Don and Cindi Landon.

Bryson’s life was enriched by the love of his many aunts and uncles — Ian, Allora, Brooke, Kaytlin, Jasmine, Christian, Grady, Geneva, Preston S., Ava, Dylan, Sophia, Brock, and Preston H., — as well as his cousins Mason, Mila, Madden, Jaylynn, Greyson, Oliver, Haven, and Freya.

He was preceded in death by his great-grandfathers William “Bobo” Hansen, Lory “Baca” Johnson, and Mike McGrath, along with his uncle, Arthur Stephen, and his aunt, Britta Scott.

A Celebration of Bryson's Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, October 12, 2025, at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings. Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., and to a reception with all of Bryson's favorite foods immediately following the service, all at the funeral home on Sunday, October 12, 2025. In honor of Bryson’s bright spirit, we ask that guests wear something gold or yellow — the color of childhood cancer awareness — or any bright, cheerful color that reminds you of him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to organizations that supported our family and continue to fight for children like Bryson: Be Positive (B+) Foundation, Pinky Swear Foundation, BumbleBee Foundation, Whip Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Children’s Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation (CNCF), Be the Rainbow Foundation, Clayton Dabney Foundation, Parker Project, Team Tucker Family Foundation, Candle Lighters NYC, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Ronald McDonald House Charities; or to pediatric cancer research initiatives at hospitals where Bryson was treated like: Children’s Hospital of Minneapolis, Mayo Clinic, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, so that one day, no family will have to endure this heartbreak again.

Bryson’s story is not one of years, but of impact. He showed us that even the smallest life can leave the largest legacy of love. In every train whistle, every catchy song, and every silly moment, Bryson’s spirit will continue to shine brightly in the lives of all who had the privilege to know him. Rest in peace, dear Bryson. You will be profoundly missed but never forgotten.