Obituaries: Larry Martin McGrath

August 24, 2023

3 minutes read

1940 ~ 2023 (age 83)

Larry M. McGrath died peacefully on August 20th, 2023, at Kindersley Heritage Manor surrounded by family after a short battle with Cancer. He was born June 14th, 1940, in the Dodsland Hospital to Edgar and Margaret (nee D’Arcy) McGrath.

Larry quit school at the age of 15 to run and grow the McGrath Family Farm. Larry truly loved everything about farming and living on the farm, taking great pride in his “weedless” fields and his laser straight furrows.

Larry met his beloved wife Agnes (nee Heit) while she was working at the Dodsland Hospital, and were married May 24th, 1960, in Tramping Lake, SK. Larry and Agnes raised their three sons, Grant, Daryl, and Scott on the grain farm South of Dodsland, SK. He and Agnes cherished the many family gatherings on the farm over the years. Larry was a dedicated and supportive family man who was loved and will be missed by many.

Larry had a great love of sports, both as a fan and as a player. He played fastball in the summer and his true passion, curling in the winter months. Curling was a large part of who Larry was. His hours of practice led him to be on teams that won the Edmonton Car Spiel three times, three Canadian Mixed Championship titles (’67, ’68, ’71), and a trip to the 1974 Brier in London, ON where his team finished as runners-up. At that same Brier, Larry was awarded the prestigious “Ross Hartstone Sportsmanship Award”, which was an award voted on by the players. His Canadian Mixed teams were inducted into both the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. More than his accomplishments on the ice, his gentlemanly good nature had given him the good fortune of having made many friends across the country. During one of the many Briers Larry and Agnes attended, a curling pin collector approached Larry with a handful of the competitors pins and said, “Larry you should get into collecting curling pins”. This became a passion for him, with his collection of pins being displayed at many Briers.

Larry will be remembered a very social person, always ready for a chat on the side of the road, in front of the Dodsland Post Office, the countless curling rinks across the country, or even in the Walmart parking lot, you would be in for a good story from him. Larry amazed his family at his ability to remember the faces, the names, and the events from years gone by. His family heard his fantastic stories countless times, and never tired of listening to them.

Larry accomplished much in his lifetime, but those that knew him best will remember Larry as a modest and humble man.

Larry is survived by his beloved wife Agnes of 63 years. His son Grant (Lisa), Saskatoon, SK, and his children: Maeghan (Devin) Dubois, Morgan McGrath, Jolene (Andrew) Bailey, and Regan (Kirstie) McGrath. His son Daryl (Kelly) McGrath, Kindersley, SK, and their children: Tyler (Rachelle) McGrath, Dayna McGrath, and DJay McGrath. His son Scott (Chantelle Miller), Kindersley, SK, and his sons Dallas McGrath, and Joel McGrath. Larry’s legacy will live on in his nine grandchildren and his eight great-grandchildren: Hudson, Hugo, Hazel, Theo, June, Beaumont, Rylen, and Jaden. Larry’s memory will also live on with his brother Wayne (Jeanne) McGrath, Sorrento, BC, and his sister Carole (Rick) England, Sorrento, BC. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Dan McGrath.

There will be a Memorial Service held for Larry on Wednesday, August 30th, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Kindersley, SK with Father John Abban-Bonsu as Celebrant. There will be a luncheon immediately following the service where all are welcome to share in their favorite memories of Larry.

Larry’s ashes will be laid to rest during a private family interment in the Dodsland Cemetery.

For those wishing to donate in Larry’s memory may do so to “Dodsland Minor Sports”, c/o Village of Dodsland, Box 400, Dodsland, SK S0L 0V0.

Services
MEMORIAL SERVICE
Wednesday
August 30, 2023
11:00 AM
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
600 4th Ave West
Kindersley, SK S0L 1S0

Donations
Dodsland Minor Sports C/O Village of Dodsland
Box 400, Dodsland SK S0L 0V0