BlairAndCernyFamilie..

RT. REV. MSGR. THOMAS F. McGRATH
0n |hy |, 1919, Reverend Thqnas F. l{cGrath succeeded
Father Daw. Several church inproveirents were made
during his pastorate such as neil, modern lights. He is
best plctured with his shy smile and his tousled hair.
As menbers of years ago we all recall his stern eye and
way'in catechism claSS. Th€ Protestant people spoke of
him as a r! gentl€nanrrand as rrone who had time for everyon€.rr
To the priests he was trFather Tormy l,lcGraw.rr His
rectory was a gathering place for priests *rtro sought his
wise counsel tempered by his ready and dlscreet sense of
humor.
l*rile servlng the parishes at Illiopolis and Niantic,
Father llcGrath celebrated his silver, golden and sixtieth
anniversaries of his ordination to the Catholic priesthood
and also elevation to the rank of lbnsignor. He was
born April /, 1872 and ordained July 25r 1895. He died
February J1 1955, and his body lay in state in the church
he had serud for thirty-s""* years. His body is buried
beside that of Father ltlanuel, just south of town in
Calvary cenetery.