Michael McGrath - Obituary

ichael Brian “Mike” McGrath, 41, a 16-year resident of Annapolis and Vice President and Associate Publisher of POLITICO, died February 27, 2012 at his home following a 17-month battle with lung cancer. Mike was born on August 4, 1970 in Greensburg, PA to Thomas and Marlene McGrath, currently of Linthicum. He graduated from St. Vincent Pallotti High School in 1988 and Towson State University in 1993. Mike began a distinguished marketing career at the Washington Times in 1994. He left the newspaper in 2007 as Director of National, International and Major Advertising to join the newly-founded POLITICO in Arlington, VA. Mike was a highly-regarded and respected professional throughout the Washington area and the entire advertising community. He was frequently quoted as an authority on political and advocacy advertising in industry magazines and was a frequent speaker at various ad clubs. He also served in elected capacities with the Virginia Press Association and was an honored recipient of the Distinguished Sales and Marketing Award of Metropolitan Washington from Sales & Marketing Executives International. Mike was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. He enjoyed golf and the beach. Most of all, he treasured his family and the time he spent with them. In addition to his parents, Mike is survived by his wife of 16 years, Patricia “Tricia” McGrath; two daughters, Reagan and Corinne McGrath; one sister, Tina Marie (Lee) King of Owings; one brother-in-law, Chris (Monica) Buckley of Millersville; two nephews, Brayden and Carson Buckley; and two nieces Anna King and Madison Buckley. Friends are invited to Mike’s Life Celebration from 5 to 7PM on Thursday, March 1, and from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8PM on Friday, March 2, at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9AM on Saturday, March 3, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 109 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis. Interment Lakemont Memorial Gardens in Davidsonville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401 or Wellness House of Annapolis, 2625 Mas Que Farm Road, Annapolis, MD 21403. An online guestbook is available at www.kalasfuneralhomes.com.