Obituary of John Francis McGrath

John Francis McGrath, of Oakton, Virginia, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on August 21st. He was born on January 2, 1953 in Bridgeport, CT, to Kathleen and James McGrath. He graduated from Fairfield Prep and Middlebury College, where he met his wife, Pier Ashley Stock. After moving to Washington, DC, John earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Maryland, and worked at the U.S. House of Representatives, the Department of Labor, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and retired from the Department of Education where he received the President’s Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service.  Until October 2021, John was Deputy CEO at the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). He fought a brave battle against pancreatic cancer since November 2021. He is mourned by the family he adored: his wife, Pier; his daughters Fiona (Dylan) and Anna-Claire; son Harper (Mireia); and grandchildren Tate and Bridget; sisters Margo (Richard), Anne (Mike), and Jake (Joe); brother Steve (Kathy); sister-in-law Christiane (Emile); nieces Megan, Sandra Kate and Adrian; and nephews Pat, Simon, and Jack. Family will receive friends at St Mark Catholic Church, Tuesday, August 29, 2023 from 6 to 8 pm.  A funeral mass followed by a reception will be held on Wednesday, August 30, at 11:00 a.m., also at St. Mark Church in Vienna, VA.  Memorial donations in John’s name may be made to Life with Cancer of the Inova Health Foundation at https://www.lifewithcancer.org/get-involved/ways-to-donate/