Mary O'Reilly, 79, of Fair Haven, NJ, formerly of Great Neck, died recently. She was born in London and grew up in Kings Point. Mary loved gardening, books and dogs. She was a member of the Nayesink Garden Club and was a volunteer librarian at the Fair Haven Public Library and the library at the Church of the Nativity. She was formerly on the board of the Hanna Neil Foundation in Columbus, OH and the Woman's Club of Great Neck. Wife of the late Maurice. Mother of Brian of Fair Haven, David of Riverton and Laurence of Arlington, VA. Sister of Kathleen Allardice of Alexandria, VA, and Joan O'Donnell of Dallas. Grandmother of seven. Arrangements were made by the John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank, NJ. Mass of Christian Burial at Nativity Church. Interment Sandy Ridge Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the Visiting Nurse Association, 141 Bodman Pl., Red Bank, NJ 07701.

John E. McGrath, a Great Neck resident since 1938, died of natural causes at North Shore LIJ Hospital on Oct. 1, 2001. With a long and distinguished career in the Great Neck Public School System, he served as an industrial arts and math teacher before becoming Principal/Assistant Principal of Great Neck North and South Junior High Schools. Until his retirement in 1976, he had a profound influence on alumni and teachers of both schools in his more than 35 years as an educator. (Upon his retirement in 1976, the Advisory Council recognized him as "mediator, advisor, stabilizer, teacher, enlightener and restorer to reality of your loyal disciples and friends.").

John was born in LaPasse, Ontario, and grew up in Oswego, NY. He graduated from Oswego State Teachers College in 1929. Over the years, he took education and administrative graduate courses from NYU earning him a master's degree. From 1943-1946, John served in the US Navy as a navigation instructor and then administrative officer of the Naval Air Station at Corpus Christi, TX. He had a significant impact on the training of naval flight officer during WWII. He served in US Navy Reserves until 1954.

John McGrath and his wife, Valeska, celebrated 69 years of marriage on Sept. 24. As the first born of nine children he is survived by two brothers and one sister. He is also survived by three children: Timothy J. McGrath of Plattsburgh, NY; John K. McGrath of Burke, VA; and Patricia L. Meyer of Fairfax, VA; as well as eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.