Roache-Pushard Funeral Home and Lisa Gentes contributed to this obituary.

Charles F. McGrath Sr. died November 24 in Florida after a brief illness. He was 78. He lived in Canton most of his life until moving to Easton in 1989, and later to Bradenton, Fla. He was a retired Canton Police officer serving the Town of Canton for over 30 years until retiring in 1984.

"Charlie McGrath worked here from 1960 to 1986," Canton Police Chief Kenneth Berkowtiz said. "He was a patrolman his whole career.  Officer McGrath was known for his welcoming personality and his superb interpersonal skills."

Chief Berkowitz said many of his former coworkers said that "Charlie had a great command of the English language and would often use it on the radio.  I am told that some of the old desk sergeants would constantly be looking up the words to
see what Charlie was actually saying."

"The Canton Police Department mourns his loss but he will always be remembered in our hearts and on the wall of our Hall of Honor," Berkowitz said.

Born in Canton, McGrath attended Canton schools. He was a proud veteran serving as a Corpsman in the U.S. Navy. He also served as a former on-call volunteer firefighter for the Canton Fire Department. He was a member of the American Legion Beatty Post #24, the Knights of Columbus Council #2095, the Canton Town Club, and the Massachusetts Patrolman's Association.

Husband of Mary P. (McQuade) and the late Jeanne A. (Crowley), he is survived by his children, Charles F. McGrath Jr.and his wife Jennie of Stoneham, Virginia M. Rehm of Taunton, John D. McGrath and his wife Jennifer of Taunton, and Joanne Heath and her husband Jerry of VT. Brother of Anna Byron of S. Dennis and Mary Dineen of Yarmouthport. Brother of the late Dennis McGrath, Gertrude Demay, Catherine Rielly and William McGrath. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in St. John the Evangelist Church in Canton on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718 Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 or to the Maryknoll Missioners P.O. Box 307 Maryknoll, NY 10545-0307.