John McGrail

John Henry McGrail, 77, of Chambersburg, PA, died early Thursday morning, September 10, 2015 in Chambersburg. Born May 19, 1938 in Bradford, PA, he was a son of the late Dr. Matthew A. McGrail and the late Gene Elizabeth (Stoner) McGrail. John earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology (1960) and a Juris Doctor (1963) from the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a member of the fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon. After graduation from Penn, John worked as a trust officer at banking institutions throughout Western and Central Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh National Bank. He retired in June 2004 from Clearfield Bank and Trust where he was Senior Vice President and Trust Manager and subsequently relocated with his wife Leanna to the Chambersburg area. He was an active member of Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church in Chambersburg where he was a lector. He was a member of Rotary International for nearly 40 years, and was president of the Rotary Club of Chambersburg in 2009. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and served in the Army and Air National Guard services. He was an avid reader of American and military history, was a member of the Civil War Roundtable, the National Railroad Historical Society, and had a lifelong interest in genealogy.

John is survived by his loving wife, Leanna Rose (Finch) McGrail, whom he married June 10, 1972; two daughters, Martha Woodcock (Edward) of North Haven, CT and Patricia Ott (Russell) of Herndon, VA; and his granddaughters, Natalie Ott, Vivienne Ott, and Catherine Woodcock. He is also survived by his sister, Elizabeth Brooks of Salisbury, MD, brother, David McGrail (Joan) of Fairfield, CT; and his nieces, nephews, cousin, and longtime friends. Aside from his parents, he was preceded in death by his niece, Katherine Williams.

Family and friends will be received from 12 PM to 1 PM, on Monday, September 14, 2015 at the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in honor of John’s life on Monday, September 14, 2015 at 1:30 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 320 Philadelphia Avenue, Chambersburg, PA. Very Reverend Fr. Luis R. Rodriguez will be the celebrant. Interment will immediately follow the funeral Mass at Corpus Christi Cemetery, 651 Lincoln Hwy. Chambersburg, PA. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer that memorial contributions in John’s memory be made to your charity of choice.