John “Jack” and Shirley (Ashburn) McGrath celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary June 24, 2020. They met through friends in 1946 and were married four years later at the Second Congregational Church, Broad Street, New London June 24, 1950. They resided in New London where they started their family and moved to Waterford where they resided for 54 years until moving to Uncasville in late November 2014.

They had four children, John (deceased), Thomas (deceased), Lori McGrath Reynolds of Quaker Hill and Bruce McGrath, also of Quaker Hill. They have seven grandchildren, Kristin, Keyth, Peter, Jessica, Kelly, Shannon and Thomas. They also have ten great-grandchildren, Serena, Jaelyn, Mya, Adrianne, Hannah, Mason, Kylee, Aubrey, Jack and Quade.

Jack worked for Crown Sheet Metal, Falvey’s and then opened his own business called “Jack’s Flying A” on Ocean Avenue in New London. In 1968 he made a life time career change and became a Firefighter for the City of Groton, retiring in 1989. Jack is also a lifetime member of both the Elks Lodge and the Waterford Fire Company No. 1.

Shirley started working for Drug Mart in Waterford, before transitioning and retiring as a teamster with Continental Baking Company in both Montville and Norwich. Shirley was very involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association over the years, holding numerous positions.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, a surprise party in their honor was canceled, but a small family gathering was hosted in their honor.

70 years of marriage is not an easy feat celebrated by many, but they display what commitment, love and a whole lot of patience can achieve.