M.J. Quill Golf Tournament

Saturday, September 21, 2024

29th Annual Golf Tournament | 18th Annual John McGrath Open

Sycamore Country Club – Ravena, NY

Ticket Information Coming Soon

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The Annual John McGrath Open

The MJQ Annual Golf Tournament has Honored John McGrath since 2007

John Joseph McGrath (known as Jack to many) passed away June 12, 2022, just a few days shy of his 96th birthday. He was a native of Lissavilla, Elphin, County Roscommon Ireland.

In 1949 John emigrated to New York City where soon after enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard, a member of the “Fighting Sixty-Ninth”. It is the 69th NY Infantry regiment that leads the Saint Patrick’s Day parade every year and John was a proud member. John was also very proud that two of his grandsons were veterans of the U.S. Army.

He began driving a bus in New York City in the 1950s first with 5th Avenue Coach and later with the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority (MaBSTOA). He then joined the Transport Workers Union for nearly 20 years. In June 1958, John married his wife, Elizabeth, and lived in Flushing for almost 30 years. They attended Saint Kevin’s church. They had 2 sons Kiernan & Declan.

After retirement, they split their time between winters in Florida and summers in the Northern Catskill mountains where they were active members of the Irish community, especially with the Michael J Quill Cultural & Sports Centre.

In 2016 he and Elizabeth relocated to Sherman CT to be closer to family. Elizabeth passed away in February 2018. John then lived with his grandson, granddaughter-in-law, and great-grandson where he was an integral part of the family.

John was a lifetime board member of the MJQ Irish Cultural & Sports Centre. He raised the money for the John Law memorial on the MJQ Centre’s grounds and helped on countless other projects to preserve and further the Irish heritage in the Catskills.