Mr. Joseph E. McGrath, 36, of Myrtle Beach SC and Old Orchard Beach ME, and formerly of Hopedale MA died suddenly Monday (February 18, 2008) in Biddeford Maine. Mr. McGrath was born in Framingham MA, the son of Edward J. and Olimpia (Cordani) McGrath, residents of Hopedale MA. He attended Hopedale public schools as a young boy and was a graduate of Hopedale High School, Class of 1989. While a resident of Hopedale, he was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church where he had served as an altar boy. He had been employed for years in the construction industry and enjoyed traveling and the beach. Along with his parents, he is survived by 2 Brothers: Michael McGrath and his wife Christine of Norton MA and James McGrath and his wife Toni of Bellingham MA; his nieces: Destiny McGrath of Norton MA, Amanda McGrath and Angelina McGrath of Bellingham MA; his Paternal Grandfather: Donald McGrath of Hopedale MA; also his very special longtime companion: Patty Straub of Maine. His funeral will be held Friday (Feb 22nd) at 9am from the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress Street, Milford followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am in Sacred Heart Church, 187 Hopedale Street, Hopedale MA. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Cedar Street (Rte 85), Milford MA. Visiting hours will be Thursday from 5pm to 8pm at the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the charity of one's choice.