Alvin Leroy McGrath

Alvin Leroy McGrath
1931~2019
Major Alvin Leroy McGrath, USMC (Ret) passed away peacefully at his home in Boise, Idaho on Monday, January 21, 2019. He was born in Boise to his mother, Beulah McConnell, and father, Willard McGrath on April 5, 1931. He grew up in Meridian, ID with his two brothers and two sisters; Anna Mae Coles, Betty Akenson, Gary McGrath and Mickiel McGrath.
Al graduated from Meridian High School with the Class of 1949 and worked for a season with the Forest Service fighting fires out of the McCall, ID station. This was followed by his enlistment in the Marine Corps where he served active duty for 30 years from 1950 – 1980. His service included one tour in the Korean War, participation in an observation exercise of a nuclear detonation in Nevada, coastal surveying duty in Southeast Asia, notably including Thailand, three tours in the Vietnam War and many years of service as a Food Service Officer in the Western Pacific, finally concluding his duty following his station at Parris Island Recruit Training Depot.
He met Sharon Dance in Laguna Beach, CA whom he married a year later on February 13, 1960. Following a period of separation they would find each other once again and remarry in 1998. Together they had a son and two daughters; Alvin Jr, Carla Fadriquela and Jolenne Dimeo. He passed along to his family a great love for all things outdoors, history, a love for experiencing and appreciating different cultures, and a strong sense of respect and appreciation for the Marine Corps.
Al married Shirley Clark from 1976-1997 residing in Boise, ID where they lived in retirement and raised Shirley's grandson, Julian Clark who was a very strong light in Al's life during these years. In Al's final years he came to know and developed a relationship with a first son, Alan Brown.
Al is survived by his wife Sharon and their three children; Alvin, Jr (Valerie), Carla (Marine (Jono) Fadriquela), and Jolenne (Randy Dimeo); two brothers, Gary McGrath (Joyce) and Mickiel McGrath; 10 grandchildren; Christopher McGrath (Crysta), Andy McGuire (Desirae), Alvin McGrath III (Celeste), Erin McGuire, Joseph McGrath (Caroline), Julian Clark, Alyssa McGuire, Katherine (Wade Messex), Cheyenne Dimeo and Angeline Dimeo; 12 great-grandchildren; Damion Howard, Sebastian Howard, Xavier Howard, Jade McGrath, Sienna Hanes, Rylee Messex, Gwenneth McGrath, Chloe McGrath, Emily McGrath, Aubrey McGrath, Alvin McGrath IV, and Jeremiah McGrath; a large number of nieces and nephews and his first son, Alan Brown (Myra). Al was preceded in death by his mother and father, Beulah and Willard McGrath; his sisters, Anna Mae Coles and Betty Akenson; his second wife, Shirley Clark, and his third grandson, David McGrath.
Published in Idaho Statesman on Jan. 30, 2019