Former 'Pequan Greg McGrath at 52

Gregory McGrath, who was born and raised in Massapequa Park, died suddenly Nov. 30, 2008 while home visiting his family for Thanksgiving. He was 52 years old and lived in Parkesburg, Pennsylvania.

He was born April 17, 1956 in Massapequa Park and lived on Ocean Avenue for many years. A graduate of Berner High School, he was an outstanding football and baseball player and he went on to play football at Columbia University.

During the '90s, he relocated to New Hampshire then Pennsylvania to work as an engineer for Keystone Helicopters, an aviation company.

"We were all really saddened to hear of Greg's passing," said Roy Simkins, his friend and supervisor at Keystone since 2005. "He was very well liked and a great technical writer. I used to joke with him that he should have been a lawyer."

According to his friends and family, he was an avid guitar player who loved classic rock and SciFi movies.

Mr. McGrath leaves behind his siblings: Janice, Thomas, Kevin and Teryl Matassa; and many nieces and nephews.

He reposed at the James Funeral Home, Massapequa, on Dec. 4 and 5, 2008. A Funeral Mass was held at Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Church, Massapequa Park on Dec. 6, 2008 followed by interment in St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale.