JAMES EARL MCGRATH

INGLIS, Fla. — James Earl McGrath, 82, of Inglis, Fla., entered eternal rest on Sept. 13, 2024, at Vitus Hospice Care Home in Lecanto, Fla. Jim was born April 28, 1942, to Earl and Hilda (Rutz) McGrath at De Goesbriand Hospital in Burlington, Vt.

Jim is survived by his older sister, Beverly Chausse of Milton,Vt.; his children, Colleen (John) Leary of Winooski, Vt., Michael (Sarah) McGrath of Addison, Vt., and Katrina (Steve); also five grandchildren, Nevin Leary, Moriah Leary, Brittany (Jacob) Ouellette, Shane McGrath, and Heather (David) Davio; and five great-grandchildren, Dustin Davio, Andre Davio, Annabella Mayo-McGrath, Madeline Ouellette and Conor Ouellette. Jim was predeceased by his father, Earl in 1967, mother, Hilda in 1995, his younger brother, Patrick in 2013, and his grandson, Dawson in 202l.

Jim served in the Navy from June 1959 — June 196l. He ran and owned many service stations in Burlington, during the 1960s and 70s. He became self-employed at a young age, owning Jim’s Esso across from Battery Park in the ‘70s, Jim’s Cornerstore, Pearl Street Mobil, then a Snap On tool truck in the 80s, followed by Rutland Sunoco in the 90s. Then Jim built, owned, and operated The Upper Room Design Center in New Haven, Vt., until 2006, when he then retired and moved to Florida. He later met Ninon Roy and they resided together in Inglis, Fla.

Jim will be deeply missed by friends, family, and all who knew him.

Funeral services will be held Oct. 9, at 11 a.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Middlebury, Vt. A graveside service and burial will follow the funeral mass at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Following the burial, the family will receive friends back in the church hall for a luncheon and a time of remembrance.

Arrangements under the direction of Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home, Middlebury, Vt. Online condolences at www.sandersonfuneralservice.com.◊