Jim James Joseph Mcgrath

James Joseph “Jim” McGrath, age 81, of Burnsville, died at Augustana Care Center in Hastings, MN on Thursday, June 20, 2013. Born February 8, 1932 in Irondequoit, New York to James Valentine and Gertrude Catherine McGrath, he graduated from St. Salome School, attended John Marshall High School and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Rochester.Jim worked for Eastman Kodak Company from 1952 to 1986 and was an accomplished salesman to the graphics markets. He married Mary Colette Zabolio on June 27, 1987 at St. Charles Catholic Church in Genoa, Wisconsin. Jim was an active volunteer in church and community. He offered his time and talents at Mary, Mother of the Church in Burnsville, MN 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. Jim was a regular at morning Mass and valued his participation in that community. In addition he served on the Deacon Advisory Board for the Archdiocese of Minneapolis/St. Paul and was cofounder of Mary’s Shelter. Jim also volunteered with Traveler’s Assistance at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport for five years.Before marrying, Jim traveled to such distant locations as Europe, Russia, Morocco, the Canary Islands, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, Turkey and Egypt. He began a new phase of traveling when he and Mary honeymooned in Bermuda. They also traveled together to Europe, Russia, Costa Rica, New Zealand and Australia. He enjoyed golf with his friends and bird watching with Mary. When living in Burnsville he was a regular figure, rain, shine or snow on Nicollet Avenue, where he walked daily to get his coffee and read the paper.Jim touched many lives as a caring and supportive listener. 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”. Through the challenges of Lewy Body Dementia, Jim certainly experienced difficulties that he handled with humanness, faith, equanimity, maturity and acceptance. While living at Augustana Care Center of Hastings, he appreciated his regular visitors including his wife Mary, participating with her in Catholic Mass and Communion services at Augustana and Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings. It was always special when Jim could come to Burnsville to Mass at Mary, Mother of the Church and visit his home. Jim is preceded in death by his father, James Valentine McGrath; mother, Gertrude McGrath; sister and brother in law, Kay (Jim) Shepp; sister and brother in law, Roberta (Al) Best; brothers in law, Charles Stoffel & Lee Compo.He is survived by his wife Mary of Burnsville, MN; sisters Mary Stoffel of Webster, New York; Joan (Jim) Proud of The Villages, Florida; Justine Compo of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; mother in law, Dolores Zabolio of LaCrosse, Wisconsin; a large extended Irish family and many friends. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Mary, Mother of the Church, 3333 Cliff Road, Burnsville, MN, on Tuesday (6/25) at 7:00 p.m. with a visitation held two hours prior to mass at church. Interment will be in St. Charles Cemetery in Genoa, Wisconsin on Friday (6/28) at 9:45 a.m.Memorials can be given to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, Inc., 912 Killian Hill Rd. SW, Lilburn, GA 30047, Augustana Care Center for staff development, 930 16th St. W., Hastings, MN 55033, Mary, Mother of the Church Catholic Community – Marian Shrine Fund and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Mass stipends are also welcome.Special thanks to the staff at Augustana Care Center of Ha