Obituary: John James McGrade, MD, 83, Of Brookfield

Information and Photo Courtesy Green Funeral Home

BROOKFIELD, CT — John James McGrade, MD, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 21, 2023 surrounded by his eight adoring grandchildren, his two loving children and their spouses, and most importantly the love of his life, Ginger, to whom he was married for 58 years.

Born on Dec. 28, 1939 in New York City to the late John and Margaret (Campbell) McGrade of County Tyrone Ireland, John was raised in the Astoria section of Queens. He attended Xavier High School in Manhattan, graduating in 1957. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1961, completing a rigorous pre-medical curriculum. After graduating from SUNY Downstate Medical School in Brooklyn in 1965, John completed a five-year internship and residency training program in Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in NYC. Upon completion of his training, John served two years as a Major in the Air Force in the role of Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas. John then completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology at the University of Iowa. In 1973, John joined Candlewood OB-GYN, where he practiced and was a member of the Danbury Hospital Medical Staff, a member of an IVF team at Portchester Hospital, and an instructor at the University of Connecticut Medical Center in Farmington. John was a past president of the Greater Hartford Obstetrical and Gynecologic Society, a past VP of the Danbury Hospital medical staff, and a recipient of several Outstanding Resident Teacher Awards at Danbury Hospital until his well deserved retirement in 2005. Two years later, John returned to Danbury Hospital upon request to serve as the Director of Medical Education in the Department of OB-GYN, from which he finally retired in 2009.

John and Ginger met in 1955 in Rockaway Beach at the age of 15. They were married in St. John’s Church in the Bronx in June of 1964. Together, they raised two children. The center of John’s life was always Ginger. Theirs was a story of true and enduring love that spanned 68 years. Their journey included travels near and far. Most of these travels revolved around family and friends, and their shared love for skiing and the beach (John loved a nap in the warm sun). John and Ginger made their children and grandchildren feel safe and confident, but most importantly that they were loved completely and always the focus of their attention. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the sun rose and set around John in the eyes of his entire family. He was one of a kind.
John lived life to the fullest, and then some. His professional life was a labor of love, not only in that he had the privilege of bringing thousands of babies into the world but particularly in that his specialization in Infertility focused on helping those that struggled to start their own families. This brought him great pride and filled his heart on a daily basis. Family was everything to John. He never missed an important moment, be it a communion, graduation, or most importantly, a family gathering. He coached baseball for many years and was a fixture at any sporting event involving his children and grandchildren. His homes in Quechee, Vermont and Park City, Utah were places where he loved to spend time with family and friends creating lasting, cherished memories.

“Papa” had a unique bond with each of his eight grandchildren. He was so very proud of each of them and they are so clearly a beautiful reflection of him. Most of his days in retirement were filled with calls to each of them- never a text. He wanted to “check in” and hear their voices, and to know they heard his as well. He was going to be sure to make them smile and laugh. His children were always on that daily call list as well.

John is survived by his loving wife, Ginger, and his two children, Kerry Bomba (Tim) of Brookfield, Connecticut, and Sean McGrade (Marlene) also of Brookfield. In addition, John is survived by his eight grandchildren- Molly, Jack, Abby, Clare, Grady, Kate, Liam, and Kieran. He is predeceased by his sister, Ann Marie Sullivan, of New City, New York whose four girls Megan, Eileen, Kathleen, and Trish he was proud to call his nieces.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 at St. Joseph Church, Brookfield, with the Rev. George O'Neill, Pastor, officiating.

Friends will be received from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 preceding the Funeral Mass at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in John's memory may be made to: New York Foundling Hospital, Development Department, 590 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10011; Xavier High School, Office of Advancement, 30 W. 16th St., NY, NY 10011; College of the Holy Cross, the Holy Cross Fund,1 College St, Worcester, MA 01610; St. Joseph’s Church, 163 Whisconier Rd., Brookfield, CT 06804 or to Autism Speaks.