Retired Operations Coordinator for Canadian Border Services
Retired Volunteer Caledon Firefighter
Retired Caledon Victim Services Volunteer
Active Member of Christ Church Anglican, Bolton
Peacefully, with his loving family by his side at Matthews House Hospice, Alliston, on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, Gary McGrath, at the age of 82 years, beloved husband for 58 years of Margaret McGrath. Dear father of Karen and her husband Jason Doughty, Paul McGrath and Stephanie Bateman. Cherished grandfather of Alyssa, Kayla, Noah, Reanna, Penny, Jaxon, Ayla, and Cruz. Predeceased by his brothers and sisters, Sister Margaret McGrath (Sisters of St. Joseph), Patricia (Al) Webber, Joseph (Betty) McGrath, Theresa (Gil) Leek, Edward (Janet) McGrath. Fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews and friends.
The family will receive their friends at the Egan Funeral Home, 203 Queen St. S. (Hwy. 50), Bolton (905-857-2213) on Friday evening from 5 – 8 o’clock and on Saturday morning, July 19 at Christ Church Anglican, 22 Nancy Street, Bolton from 10 o’clock until time of funeral service at 11 o’clock.
Followed by cremation.
Reception will follow the funeral service in the church hall.
Please no flowers. If desired, memorial donations may be made to Matthews House Hospice Foundation (matthews.house), 131 Wellington St. E., Alliston L9R 1G7 or Riverwood Senior Living (riverwoodseniorliving.ca), 9 Evans Road, Box 938, Alliston L9R 1W1 or an Animal Shelter of your choice.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Bunny Tetzlaff
Marg, Karen, Paul and families very sad to hear about Gary’s passing. Gary was such a nice man with a wonderful smile. Remembering the great times we all shared over the years. Especially the annual day at the Bolton Camp. Lots of good memories that bring many smiles.
Gary is now resting in peace and Love.
Bunny Tetzlaff
Ruth and Fred May
Our deepest sympathy on this loss. We have such wonderful memories of Gary and all that he did at Christ Church. And also we are thankful for knowing Gary as a friend. Our prayers are with all the family
Cathy Sally
Aunt Marg, Karen, Jason and the rest of the family; l was so sorry to hear of Uncle Gary’s passing but him, like Dad, is now in peace. You are all in my thoughts and prayers and if I can help in any way please let me know. God bless you and give you strength at this difficult time
Brenda-Lee Hoskins
Karen I am so sorry for your loss. We did not know your dad but heard so many wonderful stories about him. He sounded like a person who took great joy in giving to others. Someone who was generous with their time and someone who took pride in his family. I see all of those qualities in you Karen. I’m sure he was so proud of you. May he rest in peace.
A dad holds your hand for just a little while but he is in your heart forever <3
Brenda-Lee Hoskins
Brian Inglis
R I P Gary my Condolences to Margaret & the Family
James Healey
Marg & Family, my condolences. I recall conversations with Gary at the firehall, an easy guy to chat with those many years ago. Gary, old friend, RIP.
James Healey
Ardith Symmes
Marg and family, Our sincere condolences to each of you. We will remember Gary’s friendly conversations and willingness to contribute to parish life in numerous ways at Christ Church, Bolton. May he rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincerely, Greg and Ardith Symmes
Mike Bracken
Marg, Paul, Karen and family,
We are so very sorry for the loss of such a kind and funny soul. Gary and I shared many laughs over the years and I will be forever thankful that I was able to spend some time with him in his last days here. Gary affected many lives and each one is grateful for the opportunity.
Rest In Peace my friend
Mike Bracken Station 302 Bolton
Diane Michiko Killam
Marg and Family: so very sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. I did not know him well but when I did meet up with him, he was always such a gentleman. My sincere condolences to you all.
Karen Code
Dear Marg and family,
Our deepest condolences to you all on the loss of such a wonderful man. Gary was such a sweet and gentle man, and we have fond memories of his gentle soul. May he rest in peace and slumber.
Karen and Claudio Buccella
Perry & Veronic Lee
Deepest condolences to Marg & family: Roni and I had the great honour and pleasure of knowing and working with Gary for almost 40 years. During that time, we are left with nothing but the fondest of memories. Gary was always a true gentleman who was well respected and liked by all his work colleagues. Although we are deeply saddened by his passing, we know he is now in a better place. RIP our dear friend.
Jeanette Briere
Dear Marg, Paul, and Karen
Sincere condolences on Gary’s passing. Like many others, I knew him through Christ Church. What a nice man he was! Since I no longer live in Bolton, I have not seen him lately. Yet, a warm feeling comes over me when I think of him! All the best to you as you move forward with good memories!
Rhea Dalton
Dear Marg and family.
So sorry for your loss.Gary was one of a kind. .His since of humour and happy nature was so special. Good memories from the past.
Barbara (McGrath) MacFarlane
I was saddened to hear of your loss. I have fond memories of Uncle Gary. Please accept my sincere condolences to you all. Barb
Liz Bandeira
Dear Marg,
My heartfelt sympathies on the loss of your husband, Gary.
Please know you are in my thoughts during this difficult time.
With sincere condolences,
Liz
Peter & Bonnie Fram
Dear Marg & Family
Peter and I are so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. We have many fond memories of him. Our condolences
Howard and Sharon Venning
Marg, Karen, Paul and families
Our deepest condolences to all. Gary was a pleasure to know. He always had a smile for everyone and his sense of humor made everyone laugh. We have many memories of dinners at the firehall, Bolton camp barbecues and of course the trips to many events. He was always lot of fun and good times. Gary will never be forgotten, he made the best cream puffs. They were a must at our Christmas dinner at the hall. May your memories give you peace and may he RIP.
Gladys E Sanchez
My condolences to the family. I worked with him in my early days with CBSA. He was a very nice and fair man. Shared a love for shelties.
Always with a smile on his face.
May he rest in peace.
marvin M goodman
To Gary’s family please accept my condolences on the loss of such a wonderful person. I to worked with gary in canada customs for many years. i have not seen him for a long time but i still smile when i think of him. he always had a smile and brought his good energy into the workplace on every shift. he will be in my memories always. may he rest in peace. marvin goodman.
Gord and Lynne Avery
Marg, Karen, Paul and family, we are so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. We will remember him as a great neighbour and friend, always with a smile and a funny story to share. Sending love to all of you.
Bill Harrison
I first met Gary when I started with Canada Customs almost 4 decades ago … his smile and common sense approach helped to settle my new Customs Inspector jitters … always willing to offer a kind word or advice from his many years of experience … may his family find peace in the wonderful memories … God bless
Larry Hoffberg
My condolences to Marg and the entire family. I had the good fortune to work with Gary for many years as superintendent. He always had a quick smile of greeting and a story to share. He will be fondly remembered by all who worked with him at YYZ.
Doreen and John Payne
Dear Marg and family, our deepest sympathy to you all.
Julie Haugh Guzzo and Frank Guzzo
Dear Marg, Karen and Paul,
We send our sincere condolences to you and your whole family. We have many happy memories of working together with Gary at Christ Church. He was always cheerful , positive and willing to dig in and make things work. He was a very special soul and will be missed greatly missed by many.
Jack & Connie Critchley
Dear Marg and family.
We were so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing.
“When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure”.
Martina Shaw
I worked with Gary at Border Services and he was a great coworker and friend.
Doreen Young
I thought so highly of Gary during his tenure as a valued volunteer at Caledon/Dufferin Victim Services. Gary was such a lovely, kind, and empathetic gentleman! I enjoyed working with Gary in an effort to support community members affected by crime and tragic circumstance. Thank you Gary for giving back to the Caledon and Dufferin communities by sharing your time, caring for others.
Doreen Young
Retired Executive Director
Caledon/Dufferin Victim Services
Susan Hopkins
My condolences to Gary’s family, Had the pleasure of working with Gary at YYZ. He was a decent and fair man always with a good joke accompanied by his infectious smile. He was a great mentor for myself and numerous young officers. Rest in peace Gary.
Debra
Marg it is Debra Kim and Ron Cole’s ,I’m sending a hug to you and family. I have no magic words to share, but know we are thinking of you. I wish we could be there but you know mom is not well. Debra
michael hadley
My condolences to the family. I worked with Gary at Pearson in the 70’s. He was one of the good guys.
Anne Thomson
My deepest sympathies to the family. Gary was one of the first officers I met when I started working at Canada Customs in the mid 70’s. He was a wonderful officer and always the gentleman. Very knowledgeable and always helpful. May he rest in peace.
Kirk.Palmer
Condolences to the McGrath family on Gary’s passing. We worked together for many years . Garry was well liked ,dependable ,compassionate in his many years at Border Services . May he rest in peace .
Kirk Palmer
Isabelle Bottoms
Marg and family, Sincere condolences on the passing of Gary. Many memories of volunteer fire and ambulance personnel get togethers. Never saw him without a smile. May he rest in peace.
Wendy Lee Yuen
Deepest condolences to Gary’s family. I’ve worked with Gary when I was a rookie officer at CBSA. Always helpful and always with a smile . He truly was one of my favorite mentors in the early days.
Rest in Peace Gary.
Lynda Rchibald
So sorry to hear about Gary’s passing. I remember all the good times we shared. He will always remain with us in our hearts.. You are all in my prayers.
Krista Lloyd
Marg, Karen, Paul and families,
My sincere condolences for the loss of Gary, thinking of you all at this difficult time. I have many memories growing up with the fire department and Gary was such a kind man with a great sense of humour. May memories bring you comfort.
Krista Lloyd (Venning)
Dianne Harakal
My condolences on loss of Gary. You know you are in my thoughts at this difficult time.
Gary was a dear friend for many years and we enjoyed many good times. Gary was kind and a gentle man with a great sense of humour and witty.
I will remember him fondly and with love.
Rest easy, my friend.
Barry and Sharon O’Sullivan
Dear Marg and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
We have such wonderful fun, memories of Gary, his sense of humour lit up everybody’s life.
Gary will be missed.
Rest in peace, Gary.
Hugs, Barry and Sharon O’Sullivan
Mount Forest, Ontario
Ray Morrell
I worked with Gary early in my career, he was a very respected leader who was a calming influence and very fair. My condolences to his family and friends.
Brendan Colven
So many good memories of Gary over the years. He always had good stories when he would visit about everything from bowling to Pearson to fire fighting. He enjoyed making people laugh and always with that smile. He was a one of a kind guy and will be greatly missed.
Marg, Karen, Paul and family, big hugs to you all.
The Colvens
Aldo J Villanovich
Dear Marg and family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
What fond memories I have of Gary.
He cared so much for the Church and for the parishioners.
He will be greatly missed.
Rest in peace Gary.
Phil Coughlin
Gary was a great man to work for. He never had a bad thing to say, and no one ever had a bad thing to say about him. Condolences to his family.
Susan Montgomery
The hardest part of growing older is dealing with the death of friends, colleagues and family.
Gary was a true gentleman, a dedicated professional and a fine example of a Customs officer who always acted with rationality and compassion. It was a pleasure to know and work with him so many years ago at Pearson.
Anthony Chaston
I worked with Gary for many years at the CBSA. He had a unique way of quietly lighting up a room as he walked in. One of the nicest men I have ever had the pleasure to work with. I never heard him say a bad word about anyone – the worst he would do is stop talking, shrug his shoulders and smile ….. but you always knew what he meant. And he ALWAYS had a story for you !! That was Gary !
My sincere condolences to Margaret, his family and friends. May your sorrow be swiftly soothed by the countless memories, jokes and laughter you share with Gary, and he with you. He was truly one of the good ones !
“They are never really gone, just out of sight for a while”
God Bless you Gary, and your family.
Gillian and Bill Smillie
Dear Marg and Family,
We remember Gary’s easy smile and cheerful demeanour. He was always the gentleman. Gary’s willingness to always help was one of my earliest inspirations in the Fire Service.
Peter and Linda Dowdle
Our hearts go out to you Karen, Marg and your family. We have many fond memories of your Dad’s kind generosity, his endearing smile and his infectious sense of humour. He will be missed by all those lives he has touched. Please accept our sincere condolences for your loss. xxox
Dan & Susan Adams
Dear Marg & family, We are so sorry for your loss. Gary was such a wonderful, caring man. He was always there to help anyone who needed it & never without a smile. Soft spoken, with such a huge heart. I remember when i first ever spoke to him, he talked about meeting my dad just before he had passed. i think he had just started on the fire Dept. so it was quite the thing for him to have experienced just being new there.
He also helped sell avon for me to people at his work, without me even asking him to. It was work for him, & i so appreciated his kindness in doing that for me. Treasure all the beautiful memories he left behind & may he rest in peace.
Maureen Kowal
Marg and family. We really liked Gary sense of humour. And his stories. We will miss him but our memories of him will keep him alive in our hearts. God bless you all
Maureen and Dennis Kowal
Michael Chong
My condolences to the McGrath family. I want you to know that Gary was one of the kindest, most respected individuals at CBSA. I worked alongside Gary and always enjoyed his good humour and company, God bless Gary and his family.
PAULINE MONASTERO
Marg and family,
Our condolences for your loss. Gary was a good man with a kind heart and we are grateful to have shared some good times together as new neighbours here in Alliston (going on 8 years). Our back decks are where we gather with friends and when your neighbours are considered friends, you have the best of both worlds. Gary always had to have the glider chair because that was his favourite and if you or someone else was sitting in it when he arrived, well he would just smile and know you were playing with him to get a reaction lol. Marg we are here for you and always will be.
RIP Gary. All our love, Peter, Pauline and Incoronata Monastero
Heidi Reiss
My deepest condolences to the McGrath family. Gary will be fondly remembered as my first Superintendent when I started with Customs over 34 years ago. He was a great mentor, always respectful, fair and good for a laugh with the crew. RIP
Connie Vanstone
Marg, Karen, Paul and Families,
I am so sorry for your loss. Many great memories of Bolton Fire Department days, getting together at the farm , making homemade dandelion wine. Those were the days. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Connie
Michael Edward McGrath
Dear Aunt Margaret and family, I was very sadden to hear about Gary’s passing. I know He must be in a special place now. He was always so calm and a pleasure to meet up with. Marg I sent my special memories and a prayer to you and your family. I’m sorry to mention that I will be unable to visit with every one today and say my good byes. Not serious, but I had a fall this week and still on the mend. Be well. Michael xxx
Rob Harakal
My deepest condolences to Marg and the family.
I had the memories of responding to emergency calls in Bolton with Gary.
He was a compassionate man. He also had a great sense of humor.
Gary will be greatly missed but not forgeten.
Dave and Helga Adams
Marg, Karen and Paul,
Our deepest sympathies on the loss of a great man. We have good memories of many talks with Gary. Thinking about you at this difficult time.
John and Sharon Lucas
So sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. What a great family man, colleague, neighbour. We worked with Gary at Pearson Airport decades ago but always remember his kindness, professionalism, and commitment to service.
John and Sharon Lucas
Diane Demidow
Dear Marg and family, I have just learned of Gary`s passing. Please accept my deepest condolences to you and your
family. I will always remember Gary as a very kind and caring parson. May he rest at peace in Christ.
Diane Demidow
Greg Snoddy
Please accept my condolences. I met and became a friend of Gary‘s while staying at Riverside Senior home. I was only there for a short while, but had the pleasure of being Gary‘s direct neighbour And friend across the hall.. We could usually find Gary out on a walk around the second floor or hanging out in the dining room where I would do my therapy at the table and Gary would sit with us to cheer me on. I loved to get him to smile and crack up. I always had this game that we played. I would say Gary I need you to smile cause if you don’t smile, I can’t smile and it worked every time then one day in the dining room we were looking out the window together at the trees by the river. I said I can’t believe it. I just saw a monkey! That got a laugh. Anytime I’ve seen him smile or laugh would make my day. He was just such a good kind hearted man. I was so very sorry to hear of his passing after I left Riverwood, I only wish I could’ve been there to Pay my respects in the end. Rest in peace, Gary. Your friend Greg.
John Gagliardi
My condolences. I worked with Gary for many years at cbsa. It was a pleasure to work with him. Always in a good mood and made work enjoyable. He will always be in my heart and I know that he is in a better place with God.