Osborne "Toby" Tobias McGrath

We are saddened to announce the passing of Toby (Osborne Tobias) McGrath of Vancouver, BC (formerly of St. Johns, NL), who passed away in the early morning of January 4, 2026, at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, BC.

Toby was born in Patrick's Cove, NL, in July 1955, growing up in Patrick's Cove and Great Barrisway..

Osborne (Ossie) McGrath gave his name to his third son, Osborne, after he had named his older two sons after his two brothers who had died too young, Edgar (age 32) and Harold (age 22). Toby was the 9th child of Osborne and Violet O'Keefe McGrath. Toby was predeceased by his parents Osborne Francis McGrath and Violet Josephine O'Keefe McGrath, his sisters Anne Maria Young (Clifford), Linda Marie Snow (Kevin, deceased), and his brother Edgar McGrath, Barb (deceased). Leaving to mourn and celebrate his life are his brothers Harold and Wayne as well as sisters Carol Ann Dohey (Phil), Diane (George, deceased), Sylvia (Myles, deceased) all in Newfoundland, and Sharon (Judson, deceased) of Albuquerque, NM. He will be greatly missed by all.

Toby spent his first 3 years living on his parents home and land in Patrick's Cove. Toby moved to Great Barrisway when he as 3 and lived there until his teens. Toby grew up with freedom to roam and explore to his hearts content, and loved wandering the land wash, walking the beach, watching the sea, climbing the hills, and hiking into the woods and forest with his brother Wayne and sisters Diane, Carol Ann and all of his O'Keefe cousins. Later, as he grew, he showed his adventurous spirit as he travelled the Cape Shore communities and made friends with everyone he met. He attended St. Therese's school in Great Barrisway and Laval High School in Placentia. Toby was a bright and adventurous child, seeking to meet people and go places, and all of his life he continued to wander the world and meet people and make more friends.

After finishing high school Toby moved with his mother, Violet, to an older historic home at 24 Gower Street in St Johns. He completed undergraduate studies at Memorial University, St. Johns NL. Later he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and attended Eastern University of New Mexico Portales, NM, graduating with a Business degree BBA and making more friends along the way. For a long time, Toby had thought about a nursing career, and he moved to British Columbia and went on to graduate in nursing studies at Vancouver, BC, (RN Nursing Degree CRNBC BLS). He spent his early nursing career in cardiac care in Oakland, CA. Toby later worked in palliative care in Vancouver, BC. Toby continued to study and worked in palliative care and sometimes worked in the US as well as in Canada.

At the end, Toby became a palliative care patient. Toby fought a good fight against deadly cancer, and a misdiagnosed and delayed diagnosis. He handled his prognosis with courage and grace. He understood the problems of a system too slow to diagnose, and treat, and a too-fast palliative care system. He fought bravely to survive and bravely he accepted the final stage, stating he was ready to peacefully pass away.

Toby had many interests and one of his personality traits was to get to know more and more people and make them a friend. He loved to meet new people and get to know them. He was always pleasant to others and friendly in a quiet way. He had a great wit, and sense of dry humor. Toby was kind to others and his compassionate character fit with his role as a palliative care nurse. Toby interests included not only medicine, healing and health, but he loved and collected music, art and history. He loved travel, hiking, great movies and books, and especially loved wandering and seeing the world and getting to know and interact with people. Toby always continued to educate himself in all areas, especially in the medical field and health. He also explored art, music, and his religion. Toby attended Guardian Angel Catholic Church within walking distance of his home. He was a man of many interests and he never forgot his parents, brothers and sisters, and his nephews, nieces, cousins, and all of his friends over the years. He always stayed in touch.

One of Toby's interests was genealogy. Toby had copious files and notes on his ancestry and his ancestral homes Patrick's Cove and Great Barrisway. Toby's home place of Patrick's Cove was settled and named named by Toby's ancestor, Bartholomew McGrath, and his wife Catherine Ryan, around 1830. Toby was baptized in St. Patrick's Church, built on his grandparents land (Patrick Joseph and Hanorah McGrath) with volunteer carpentry work by Toby's father, uncles and grandfather. Toby's widowed mother, Violet, moved her children to Great Barrisway, settled by Toby's ancestors around 1830, by Patrick O'Keefe and Martha Lamb, their son Michael O'Keefe, and Catherine Finn. Toby researched his genealogy and shared it with other relatives. It was a life long interest and hobby.

Toby took great interest in his nephews and nieces and always wanted the best for them . Toby is lovingly remembered by many nieces and nephews Dionne Snow Davis, Sheldon Snow, Timothy McGrath , Christine McGrath, Matthew McGrath, Dawn Dohey, Curtis Dohey, Candace Dohey (deceased), Leona Young Kerrivan, Charmaine Young (deceased), Corinna Young, Angela Lacey, Sarah Lacey, Shayna Young, and Alexandra Corcoran. Toby always stayed in touch with his O'Keefe cousins and his Power cousins especially Gerald O'Keefe and Kenney Powers as well as a large circle of extended family and friends. Toby's family are grateful to and appreciate the continued help, friendship and support and kind care that Toby received from his friend Dr. Charlie B. Hatoumb and family. Toby's family appreciated the friendship and kind help Toby received from his friend and neighbor, Jirina Sadilek .

Tobys funeral arrangements Toby’s Memorial Mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Parish (2881 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5T 3G1), on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 11:00am . He will be buried in St Patrick's Cove Roman Catholic Cemetery in Patrick's Cove, NL, next to his Mother Violet Josephine O Keefe McGrath and near his Father Osborne McGrath.

On behalf of Toby please say a prayer for Toby and for all cancer victims .

Our Family Prayer for Toby: "May his soul rest in peace."