Obituary of Michael Stephen McGrath

Michael Stephen McGrath, 69, of Toms River, NJ, was surrounded by loved ones at home when he died on February 15, 2023. He was born in New York City on January 18, 1954, lived in Manalapan from the age of 11, and lived in Toms River for the last 40 years. Michael was an avid music fan, whose personal music collection rivaled that of most record shops. He attended nearly one thousand concerts throughout his life, always generously bringing friends and family along. It was at one of these concerts that he met his beloved wife, Mina. He loved spending time on his boat and spending days at the beach. When his kids were younger, Michael loved coaching his son Colin’s hockey team, and never missed a dance performance for his daughters Allyson and Ashlee. He adored being a Grandpa, and some of their favorite things to do together included crabbing off his back dock and taking boat rides. Michael was a graduate of Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft NJ, and was a Repurchase Agreement Broker for ICAP, NY. Michael was predeceased by his mother, Anne “Nancy” McGrath in 2005 and his father Martin “Marty” McGrath in 2010. Michael is survived by his loving wife, Minako McGrath. He is also survived by his three children with his previous spouse, Christy Thinel Barlow: Allyson McGrath and her husband Sunil Purushotham, Colin McGrath and his wife Jamie, and Ashlee Gough and her husband Mark. Michael was the adoring Grandpa to his seven grandchildren: Mae and Remy; Dylan and Weston; and Nolan, Calvin and Nora. Michael was also a father to Ken Okayama, and Shen Seiken and his wife Marina, whose twin daughters’ impending spring arrival he was eagerly awaiting. Michael was the oldest of nine, and is survived by his eight siblings: Martin McGrath and his wife Antonia; Kevin McGrath and his wife Susan; Brian McGrath; Steven McGrath; Gregg McGrath; Kelley Waters and her husband Bob; Thomas J. McGrath and his husband Andrew Paish; and Anne Marie Wright and her husband Robert. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews and their children. The viewing will be held at Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold NJ on Sunday, February 19th from 2:00-5:00pm. The funeral liturgy will be at St. Rose of Lima Church, Freehold NJ, on Monday, February 20th at noon. Flowers may be sent to Higgins Memorial Home, or donations in memory of Michael may be made to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation. The foundation uses donations to fund research to find a cure and improve the lives of patients.