Thomas Francis McGrail, age 92, of Chadds Ford, PA passed away on September 2, 2025. He was born in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1932 to Thomas F and Mary (Cunningham) McGrail.
Tom graduated from St. John’s High School in Worcester and Worcester Academy where he was a three- sport athlete and was later inducted into the St John’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Recipient of a full scholarship, he graduated from Lafayette College with a degree in physics and letters in two sports. Later, in 1972, he earned an MBA from the University of Delaware.
When duty called, Tom became a Naval Aviator, serving on the West Coast and in the Pacific on the carrier, U.S.S.Yorktown, and later as a “Weekend Warrior” Naval Reservist in a flying capacity, leaving the service after ten years, having attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
He joined the Chemicals Division of Atlas Powder Co in 1959 as a sales trainee and after over 30 years of increasing responsibility, retired as a Vice-President of ICI Americas, Inc., and President of its General Products Group. Britain’s Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd (ICI) acquired Atlas in 1971 and ICI Americas, Inc. became ICI’s wholly-owned U.S subsidiary.
During his working years, Tom served as a board member of the United Way of Delaware, acting as General Campaign Chairman for a year and later for a year as Board Chairman. In 1987, he chaired the Diocese of Wilmington’s Annual Catholic Appeal. He was also a trustee for the Christiana Care Health Care System.
He was a Board Member of PNC Bank of Delaware for 17 years.
His alma mater, Lafayette College, always had a special place in Tom’s heart and led to his being very active in alumni affairs locally, in fundraising, as an admissions representative, and as a member of the Executive Committee of the College’s Alumni Association. He was the President of the college’s Alumni Association for a two year term, and then, a twenty-year member of Lafayette’s Board of Trustees, serving terms as Secretary and Vice-chair of the Board and retiring as an emeritus trustee.
Tom was a two-term member of the Diocese of Wilmington’s Catholic Diocesan Foundation Board and a long-term member of the Diocese Finance Council. In 2005, he received Papal Honors, the Pro-Ecclesia and Pontifice Cross, from Pope Benedict XVI. A member of the Church of the Holy Child Parish, he served as a Minister of the Word and as a Eucharistic Minister.
He is survived by Patricia, his wife of 65 years, five children: Kathryn of Avondale, PA, Thomas (Elizabeth) of Avondale, PA, Steven of Redondo Beach, CA, Neil (Stephanie) of Washington, D.C., and Christopher of Oakland, CA and 12 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. He is also survived by a sister Mary Margaret McGrail. He was predeceased by sisters Judith Pettirossi, Madeline Weinsko, and Ellen McGrail, and brother Lawrence McGrail.
A viewing will take place on Friday, September 12, 2025, beginning at 6:00 PM at Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike Wilmington, Delaware 19803. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Church of the Holy Child, 2500 Naamans Rd, Wilmington, Delaware 19810. Burial will follow at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Tom’s memory to the Ministry of Caring (Emmanuel Kitchen).
Thomas F. McGrail Jr.
Funeral Services
A viewing will take place on Friday, September 12, 2025, beginning at 6:00 PM at Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike Wilmington, Delaware 19803. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Church of the Holy Child, 2500 Naamans Rd, Wilmington, Delaware 19810. Burial will follow at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery.
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