Daniel Patrick Grace
Daniel Patrick Grace, 94, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 28, 2020, at Lantern Hill in New Providence. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he lived in Mountainside for many years, then Chatham, before moving to Lantern Hill five years ago. Mr. Grace’s parents, Cornelius and Mary (Kennedy) Grace, each emigrated from Cork County, Ireland, and met during their crossing of the Atlantic. Their landing at Ellis Island is commemorated by a stone marker that he arranged for in memory of their journey. His interest in Irish Heritage and in the genealogy of the Grace and Kennedy families became a lifelong hobby. As the ninth of ten children, he was affectionately dubbed “Daniel Patrick Frances O’Flaherty Quinn Aloysius Cornelius John Grace”. Learning to recite that name became a fun milestone moment for each of his four daughters, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He attended St. Jerome’s Catholic school in Brooklyn, NY and Brooklyn Technical High School. Mr. Grace was a veteran of World War II, having served in the US Navy from 1944 to 1946. After the war, he attended the University of Notre Dame, where he received his BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1951. He continued to be an avid supporter and fan of the University and her sports teams throughout his life. He married the love of his life, Eileen McGrath, at St. Genevieve’s Church in Elizabeth on May 15, 1954. In describing their courtship, she forever referred to him as her “knight on the white horse”. They started their family life in Scotch Plains before moving to Mountainside in 1965. Mr. Grace was active in Our Lady of Lourdes parish and in Borough affairs, having led the Recreation Department during the development of the Mountainside Community Pool. He and his wife are members of Corpus Christi Catholic Parish in Chatham. He enjoyed a 35 year career with Exxon Corp. before retiring to consulting work. His monthly lunches with his fellow retirees were a source of support and companionship for decades. Post retirement, he and his wife greatly enjoyed opportunities to dance together, travel, spending time with family and with dear friends, many of whom were lifelong. He loved listening to music, and could be easily coaxed into bringing out his harmonica during family gatherings. He will be remembered for being a wonderful husband and father, adored by his daughters, “the Four Grace Girls”. He was the consummate gentleman, loyal and principled. He was an engineer’s engineer, yet a romantic at heart. Surviving are his wife, Eileen McGrath Grace; four daughters, Kathleen (Michael) Bush of Davenport, Iowa, Susan (Donald, MD) Murphy of Denver, CO, Sharon (James) Black of Germantown, MD and Lisajane “LJ” (Richard) Fiedler of Long Valley, NJ; ten grandchildren, Kelly Anne Bush, Daniel (Megan) Bush, Brendan (Laura) Bush, Dan (Janette) Murphy, Shannon Murphy Tapia, M.D., Christopher Murphy, Michelle Murphy, Katelyn (Brendan) Smith, Brian Black, Christian Fiedler; and seven great grandchildren, Hannah and Lucy Bush, Ben and Teddy Bush, Maura and Grace Murphy and Liam Tapia. Mr. Grace is predeceased by his parents and 9 siblings and their spouses: George (Edna) Grace, Mary Grace, Christopher (Marie) Grace, Gail Grace (Walter) Wilson, Kay Grace (David) Haskell, Mickey (Eileen) Grace, Totsy Grace (Robert) Essex, Rita Grace (Edward) McTighe, Patricia Grace (Robert) Moore. Due to Covid restrictions, a private committal service with military honors was held at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield. A memorial celebration will be planned for the summer of 2021.Obituary
Daniel Patrick Grace, 94, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 28, 2020, at Lantern Hill in New Providence. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he lived in Mountainside for many years, then Chatham, before moving to Lantern Hill five years ago. Mr. Grace’s parents, Cornelius and Mary (Kennedy) Grace, each emigrated from Cork County, Ireland, and met during their crossing of the Atlantic. Their landing at Ellis Island is commemorated by a stone marker that he arranged for in memory of their journey. His interest in Irish Heritage and in the genealogy of the Grace and Kennedy families became a lifelong hobby. As the ninth of ten children, he was affectionately dubbed “Daniel Patrick Frances O’Flaherty Quinn Aloysius Cornelius John Grace”. Learning to recite that name became a fun milestone moment for each of his four daughters, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He attended St. Jerome’s Catholic school in Brooklyn, NY and Brooklyn Technical High School. Mr. Grace was a veteran of World War II, having served in the US Navy from 1944 to 1946. After the war, he attended the University of Notre Dame, where he received his BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1951. He continued to be an avid supporter and fan of the University and her sports teams throughout his life. He married the love of his life, Eileen McGrath, at St. Genevieve’s Church in Elizabeth on May 15, 1954. In describing their courtship, she forever referred to him as her “knight on the white horse”. They started their family life in Scotch Plains before moving to Mountainside in 1965. Mr. Grace was active in Our Lady of Lourdes parish and in Borough affairs, having led the Recreation Department during the development of the Mountainside Community Pool. He and his wife are members of Corpus Christi Catholic Parish in Chatham. He enjoyed a 35 year career with Exxon Corp. before retiring to consulting work. His monthly lunches with his fellow retirees were a source of support and companionship for decades. Post retirement, he and his wife greatly enjoyed opportunities to dance together, travel, spending time with family and with dear friends, many of whom were lifelong. He loved listening to music, and could be easily coaxed into bringing out his harmonica during family gatherings. He will be remembered for being a wonderful husband and father, adored by his daughters, “the Four Grace Girls”. He was the consummate gentleman, loyal and principled. He was an engineer’s engineer, yet a romantic at heart. Surviving are his wife, Eileen McGrath Grace; four daughters, Kathleen (Michael) Bush of Davenport, Iowa, Susan (Donald, MD) Murphy of Denver, CO, Sharon (James) Black of Germantown, MD and Lisajane “LJ” (Richard) Fiedler of Long Valley, NJ; ten grandchildren, Kelly Anne Bush, Daniel (Megan) Bush, Brendan (Laura) Bush, Dan (Janette) Murphy, Shannon Murphy Tapia, M.D., Christopher Murphy, Michelle Murphy, Katelyn (Brendan) Smith, Brian Black, Christian Fiedler; and seven great grandchildren, Hannah and Lucy Bush, Ben and Teddy Bush, Maura and Grace Murphy and Liam Tapia. Mr. Grace is predeceased by his parents and 9 siblings and their spouses: George (Edna) Grace, Mary Grace, Christopher (Marie) Grace, Gail Grace (Walter) Wilson, Kay Grace (David) Haskell, Mickey (Eileen) Grace, Totsy Grace (Robert) Essex, Rita Grace (Edward) McTighe, Patricia Grace (Robert) Moore. Due to Covid restrictions, a private committal service with military honors was held at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield. A memorial celebration will be planned for the summer of 2021.