The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-12-11

Former City Court Judge John Francis McGrath, 65, of 32 Roseland avenue, died suddenly at his home last night just before midnight, only a few hours after death removed his close friend and neighbor, for mer Probate Court Judge Dennis Slavin. Death was caused by a heart attack.
 A colorful figure in city court during the nine years he served as prosecutor and 9 years as presiding officer, numerous incidents were re- called today that gave Judge Mo Grath reputation as an independ- ent thinking, fair-minded, and in- teresting jurist. His sharp percep- ton in uncovering obstructed but conclusive details in the cases be- fore him stirred much comment dur ing his long term as judge. Police officers and City Hall workers, who followed his long career with inter- est, were among those who today rendered tribute to the former court official
 Judge McGrath was born in Wa terbury June "A, 1878, the son of Edward and Annie Fruin McGrath, both natives of Ireland. He attend ed Holy Cross College in Worcester, Mass, and St. Francis College in Brooklyn, N. Y, and received a bachelor of laws degree from Yale Law school in 1909.
 Upon his graduation he came di- ofl tn f1ic nff %4 was associated with the late Attor- ney Charles w. Bauby. Later he was associated with the late Attorney Abner P. Hayes and then with At torney James M. Lynch.
 Judge McGrath was appointed assistant prosecutor of the city court in 1907 and four years later became prosecuting attorney. He served in that capacity until 1916 when he was named to fill the unexpired term of the late Judge Patrick Me- Mahon and in January, 1917 the General Assembly appointed him as judge. He retired from office, July 1, 1888.
 The former judge was a promi- nent member of the Republican party for many years. He served as state senator in 1913-14. In 1914 he was the party'S candidate for mayor but was defeated. He also was prominent figure in the city's fraternal circles, being member of the Knights of Columbus and Elks, among other organizations. He was 8 parishioner of St. Margaret's church.
 He is survived by his wife, the former Irene K. Cullen, two chill dren of his second marriage, Cap tain John F. McGrath, Jr., of the Army and Miss Eleanor McGrath; 8 granddaughter, Nancy McGrath, and 8 brother, William.
 The funeral will be held Tuesday morning at 9:30 from the Bergin funeral home, 290 East Main street. to St. Margarets church at 10 o'clock. Friends may call at the funeral home Sunday afternoon and evening and Monday afternoon and evening.
 Among the many local residents who expressed tribute was former City Court Judge John L. Gaffney, who made the following statement:
 "The passing within few short hours of each other of two former members of the local judiciary, close friends and neighbors, is without parallel in the history of Water bury. Both had endeared them- selves to the legal fraternity and to all with whom they had contact.
 Judge McGrath, outstanding for his sense of humor and capacity for the exercise of common sense and the application of the milk of hu- man kindness to the unfortunate, will long be remembered, as a capa- ble and ultimately fair judge His many years of service on the local bench mellowed and chrystal- lized his judgment which was dis