John Patrick McGravey
(Sunday, December 28, 2003)
NORTH ANDOVER -- John Patrick McGravey, 85, completed his earthly journey on Christmas Day after a faithful service to his wife, family and country.
Born in Lawrence on Aug. 11, 1918, he was educated locally at St. Mary's Grammar School and Lawrence High School, Class of 1936. He was married in 1941 to Anastasia "Nellie" Bortnik, his widow.
In December of 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. John was trained to be an Officer at the University of Pittsburgh; Primary Pilot Training at Maxwell Field, Alabama; Gunnery School in South Carolina; Bombardment School in Texas, and commissioned as a second lieutenant bombardier in 1943. Upon deployment overseas during World War II, he was assigned to the 450th Bomb Group, 720 Squadron, as a B-24 bombardier in Italy. His "Liberator Bomber" was shot down on a mission over Italy in 1943. Rescued and hospitalized, Lt. McGravey was evacuated via ship to New York and then recovered in Indiana. In 1945 he was retired as disabled from the service. He was awarded numerous military decorations including the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with two European Theatre Battle Stars. It was learned in recent years that his entire crew was lost in the war.
He continued service with the Lawrence Fire Department as a firefighter and retired as a lieutenant in 1982. He is survived by his wife Anastasia and children, John McGravey and his wife Anne of North Andover, Richard W. and his wife Susanne of Derry, N.H., and Daniel L. and his wife Sheryll of New Jersey; his grandchildren Patrick, Kristopher, Julie McGravey Waius, Daniel J. McGravey, Erin McGravey Darwin, and Molly Lyn McGravey; his great-grandchildren Nathanael, Jackson, Ambrose, Colin, Judith and Darcie. He is also survived by his brothers Vincent, Francis, and Joseph as well as his sisters Catherine, Patricia and Claire.
Relatives and friends may call Monday, Dec. 29, from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Boles Memorial-Baron-McAuliffe Yameen Funeral Home, 184 Jackson St., Lawrence. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Michael's Church, North Andover, on Tuesday, Dec. 30, at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Ridgewood Cemetery in North Andover. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the "Voices of Angels," care of Daniel L. McGravey, 48 Edelweiss Lane, Voorhees, NJ 08043. This foundation supports children with Angelman's Syndrome.
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