Leo Vincent McGrath

Leo Vincent McGrath, 86, of Lynchburg, Virginia, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2026. Born on June 25, 1939, in Natick, Massachusetts, he was the son of Walter Ambrose McGrath and Florence Agnes Hemeon, and the devoted husband of Joyce (Gammons) McGrath for forty years.

As a young man, Leo served four years in the Navy before taking on various jobs to support his growing family. He then began a twenty-three-year career with the Natick Fire Department, a role in which he took great pride. After an early retirement, his faith led him to move with his wife, Joyce, and youngest daughter, Kathleen, to Lynchburg in 1993. There they became active members of Thomas Road Baptist Church, and Leo earned an Associate’s Degree in Biblical Studies from the Liberty Bible Institute. Leo and Joyce opened their home to those in need, first housing students from Liberty University and later serving with the Salvation Army.

Leo was known for his sense of humor, strength, determination, and authenticity. Deeply connected to his Irish heritage, he made several trips to Ireland in the 1970s and 1980s. He enjoyed painting and construction, loved the ocean, and cherished family vacations to Florida and Busch Gardens, where he continued riding roller coasters well into his seventies. An avid fan of John Wayne films and the music of Fats Domino, Ray Charles, and Johnny Cash, he remained true to the people and causes he valued.

He is survived by his six children, Shawn McGrath and his wife, Sharon; Kerrie Hebert; Paul McGrath and his wife, Geraldine; Sharon Hebert and her partner, Jim McLaughlin; Timothy McGrath; and Kathleen Moses and her husband, Scott; his three step-children, Jeffery Haworth, Amy Barnicle and her husband, Jim, and Fawn Evans and her husband, Mike; his nine grandchildren, Larissa, Justin, Walter, Danielle, Shawn, Arianna, Ryan, Carson, and Ethan; his five step-grandchildren, Nick, Connor, Mackenzie, Serenity, and Rhapsody; his six great-grandchildren, Jax, Maisie, Isla, Ryker, Sawyer, and Harrison; his two step-great-grandchildren, Bella and Capri; his brother, Joseph; and many loving friends in the community. He was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Florence, his younger brother, Walter, and his granddaughter, Helen.