2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow (Funeral 23 May)

Subject: Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: GUEST,Simon
Date: 06 Apr 24 - 10:59 AM

I am sorry to report that Kevin Mcgrath passed away on Good Friday, in Harlow Hospital. I understand he was a long standing member on this site.and had many friends here. I knew him as a friend through attending Harlow folk club back in the nineties.

I will post the funeral details once known, but this will be delayed due to an inquest.

Subject: McGrath of Harlow
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Apr 24 - 11:25 AM

Good afternoon. I am Ciaran McGrath, Kevin’s son.

Sadly my dad died on Good Friday. I won’t say too much at this stage other than that I know he took a great deal of pleasure from this forum so thank you to everyone for your friendship over the years.

With kind regards,

Ciaran

Subject: RE: Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: GUEST,Steve Shaw
Date: 06 Apr 24 - 11:27 AM

That's really sad news. Many moons ago he and I lived just a few miles apart ((I even had family in Harlow), yet in those days we were unaware of each other's existence. He had a way of putting things in a measured way and we did agree most things. We even joshed about who could get more letters printed in the Guardian! We went to Harlow so often, living as we did in Loughton, even taking our kids for picnics in Harlow Park on a few occasions. By the time I came across Kevin on this forum we were many miles apart, sadly! My best wishes to his family and friends.

Subject: RE: McGrath of Harlow
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Apr 24 - 11:57 AM

Oh no! So sorry Ciaran :-( I never met him but I know from our chats on here he was a lovely man.

Condolences to you and all his loved ones.

Subject: RE: Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: Anne Lister
Date: 06 Apr 24 - 12:19 PM

Kevin did a songwriting workshop with me once at Sidmouth - we stayed in touch for a while. A good man, with a fine touch with words. Sad news.

Subject: RE: Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 06 Apr 24 - 12:54 PM

Very sad news. Always the voice of reason and common sense on the forum. RIP Kevin.

Subject: RE: Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: Raggytash
Date: 06 Apr 24 - 01:33 PM

I too will miss his measured posts on Mudcat. He always came across as a decent human being.

My condolences to his friends and family.

Subject: RE: Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 Apr 24 - 02:07 PM

Sad news, I met him many years ago at Harlow folk club, a lovely interesting man
My condolences to his friends and family.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: gillymor
Date: 06 Apr 24 - 03:55 PM

He seemed like a very thoughtful man who always had an interesting take on things.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Apr 24 - 03:56 PM

Oh, he was such a nice man. I'll miss you, Kevin.

I met him in the line for communion in a Catholic church in Whitby in 2002. He saw the Mudcat Cafe patch on my backpack, and he asked if I might be Joe Offer.

Rest in peace, Kevin.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 06 Apr 24 - 04:15 PM

That's sad news. Condolences to the family and friends.

I never met him but have loved his 'Marmite Song' since finding it on mudcat.
mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=38363#538799
I trust he sings it to the One in Three when he gets to sit upon his drifting cloud up there.
Here was Kevin singing it just a few years ago
https://vimeo.com/494517620

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Apr 24 - 04:26 PM

Kevin wasn't real active on Facebook lately, but here is his page and there may be photos and such appearing there from friends.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Apr 24 - 04:38 PM

One of the first I "met" here! Damn it all!

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 07 Apr 24 - 03:05 AM

Sad to hear this. I enjoyed his posts here and met him once at the Stoney Stratford Mudcat Meet and had one of his records.
RIP
RtS

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: Monique
Date: 07 Apr 24 - 03:25 AM

I'm so sorry! My condolences to his family and friends.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 07 Apr 24 - 03:40 AM

Although we never met in real life, he was one of the posters I most respected here on Mudcat, Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

DC

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Apr 24 - 10:13 AM

Here are the 41,298 logged-on posts from Kevin, and another 206 as a guest.

Prolific Mudcat member, and such a nice man.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: Maryrrf
Date: 07 Apr 24 - 11:34 AM

I only recently started checking Mudcat again, and now another one of the "old timers" has passed. I never met Kevin in real life, but I found him to be one of the most thoughtful posters on Mudcat - always insightful, always the voice of reason. Another good one gone.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: MudGuard
Date: 07 Apr 24 - 04:36 PM

so sad to hear this - I met Kevin at Stony Stratford in 2002.
I will listen to the CD "Marmite and other stuff" later tonight - he gave it to me as a gift!
I remember him as a very friendly man!

May he rest in peace!

My condolences to family and friends!

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: Felipa
Date: 07 Apr 24 - 05:07 PM

I didn't know Kevin McGrath, but I appreciated his posts and regret that there will be no more. Condolences to Kevin's friends and family.
good story, Joe O, re how you met each other

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Apr 24 - 06:26 PM

I got a package from Kevin a while back - I think it was about this time in 2023. Now I wish I had recorded the date. It was two hand-bound bocks in a slipcase, with a card from Kevin. He said it was an effort in his new-found hobby of bookbinding. The books were collections of songs he had written or collected over the years. I'll treasure those two books always. This guy had a big heart and a vastly inquisitive mind, and it was obvious in so many ways. I only had personal contact with him during that Whitby Folk Week of 2002, but I've thought of him as a friend ever since. I'm glad he came to a few of our online singarounds over the last few years.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 08 Apr 24 - 10:31 AM

I am so sorry to read this sad news. I remember Kevin's performances of his songs, particularly at Sidmouth festival, with great affection.

Kitty

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 08 Apr 24 - 10:49 AM

I was sorry to hear this news. I always enjoyed his posts. Another long time member gone. I have added Kevin to the "In Memoriam" thread and send my condolences to all those who know and love him. RIP Kevin.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: meself
Date: 08 Apr 24 - 11:41 AM

This is sad news. I had noticed that 'McGrath of Harlow' had not been posting much in the past year or so, and assumed there were health issues getting in the way.

I had and have no knowledge of Kevin McGrath beyond the posts he made here since I discovered this forum, but they were enough to give me a respect and even admiration for the man. Without intending any slight on the other intelligent, amusing, and loveable contributors here, he was the one person of whom I would sometimes think, after reading one of his thoughtful, measured posts, 'I wish I could be more like him.' I was particularly impressed by his habit, whether through discipline or natural inclination, of maintaining the utmost civility in his discourse, no matter how contentious the subject at hand, or how unpleasant the remark he was responding to. I'll miss him here. RIP.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: fat B****rd
Date: 08 Apr 24 - 03:22 PM

So sad to hear.My respects and sympathy to family and friends.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: GUEST,Amergin
Date: 09 Apr 24 - 12:04 AM

He was one of the first to welcome me here back in 2000. I remember hearing his songs o. Hear me and mudcat radio. Kevin was a good guy. I’m sorry to hear he’s gone.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: Amergin
Date: 09 Apr 24 - 03:42 PM

I want to add that I am still haunted by the beautiful song he wrote about the Chinese emigrants that were found suffocated in the back of a truck in Dover, back in 2000.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: vectis
Date: 09 Apr 24 - 06:09 PM

A clever man with words and has left us some cracking songs. It would be good if you could scan his song book and make it available to his fellow mudcatters Joe. That way his songs will live on.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: GUEST,Susanne (Skw) sans cookie
Date: 10 Apr 24 - 05:34 PM

What everybody has said. I am among those who never met him but had great respect for his contributions. He came across as one of the sanest and kindest people you could imagine. For me that's the real tragedy of old age - not having to die but seeing so many others whom you love, like or respect go before you. RIP Kevin!

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 11 Apr 24 - 01:20 AM

So sorry to hear this. Another decent one gone. I had a few communications with him in my early days on the Cat, and found him knowledgeable and civil. My condolences to his family and friends.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: treewind
Date: 11 Apr 24 - 04:22 PM

A well known voice on Mudcat, always with intelligent things to say, and someone I'm glad to have met at sessions in the days when I lived in East Anglia.
RIP Kevin.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 11 Apr 24 - 05:49 PM

Another sad loss. I never knowingly met him, but I think we exchanged emails a few years ago. And I first heard "The Bovril" one year at the National at Sutton Bonnington and I suspect the singer was probably Kevin himself. Condolences to family and all on here who knew him.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 11 Apr 24 - 06:30 PM

Kevin was also a member of the Oxford Heritage Society and co-author (with Mike Sutton) of The Young Student Sent Down in His Prime which was still being sung when I arrived at Heritage several years later. And possibly while you were there too, Richard.
Kitty

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: Mrrzy
Date: 11 Apr 24 - 10:04 PM

So sorry! Love to his bereaved family.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 12 Apr 24 - 05:12 AM

> The Young Student Sent Down in His Prime which was still being sung when I arrived at Heritage several years later. And possibly while you were there too, Richard. <

It certainly was (but wasn't that earlier than you?).

I've been known to sing it myself, and it still comes into my head occasionally.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 12 Apr 24 - 07:02 AM

Noticed on the thread about the Marmite song that Kevin was at Fleetwood in the 2001 - I was there then so, even though there were only 2 amongst hundreds, I could have seen or met him. Nice to think so anyway.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 12 Apr 24 - 12:36 PM

Sad news. His posts were always thoughtful and full of wisdom.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: GUEST
Date: 03 May 24 - 10:51 AM

So Sad. I had got worried to have no reply from Kevin; I wanted him to know we had recently read one of his songs (as a poem):
"From: Alan Muhr [mailto:******@gmail.com]
Sent: 29 March 2024 15:21
To: 'mcgrathkevin
Subject: Strange Conversation of the Two moons

Dear Kevin,
I hope this finds you well!
I would like you to know that your song, though read as a poem, “ the Strange Conversation of the Two Moons” was received very well at “Prayers for the Earth”, Salisbury Square, Hertford on 26th March 2024.

Prayers for the Earth involves a reading/poem/ maybe a tune every day at noon, followed by 5 minutes of silent reflection. This will go on every day this year, at least when at least one person turns up!

We plan to compile all the readings into a book at the end of the year, and, if we can get approval of authors, print some copies, to give away or sell at cost price.

I hope you would you be happy to have your piece in the book – please let me know.

Another question: I once heard you sing Wild Mountain Thyme with a nice extra verse that I am not familiar with, something about a “humble abode” or “humble cottage” – please could you let me have those words?

We will probably air more of your pieces (Marmite for sure) before the year is out; If you have any soft copies of your work I’d love to have them…..

Best Wishes
Alan
PS May and I still sing your songs!!

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: GUEST
Date: 03 May 24 - 11:16 AM

sequel comment: Having read now what others have said about "student sent down in his prime" it must be the same song as we used to sing in the bar in Peterhouse, Cambridge in the early 70s, along with Red Fly the Banners O! etc. I do my best to forget those 3 years, and remember the happier times before and after, but the songs were (mostly) a good memory...Alan

Subject: RE024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: GUEST,Simon
Date: 17 May 24 - 06:29 AM

I have been advised that Kevin's funeral will be at Our Lady Fatima Church, Harlow, Essex, CM20 2NS on Thursday 23rd of May at 10.30am.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow
From: GUEST,Beachcomber
Date: 17 May 24 - 07:27 AM

Ar dheis lámh Dé go raibh a anam.
May McGrath of Harlow Rest in Peace.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow (Funeral 23 May)
From: GUEST,Greg Stephens
Date: 17 May 24 - 03:31 PM

RIP. A good bloke, and a brilliant songwriter. Here's what I consider one of his best, an absolute masterpiece of brevity and wit

To the tune of Frere Jacques
Christine Keeler, Christine Keeler
Profumo, Profumo
Tell it to Macmillan, tell it to Macmillan
He must go, he must go

Nice one, Kevin.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: McGrath of Harlow (Funeral 23 May)
From: C-flat
Date: 24 May 24 - 10:53 AM

My only connection with Kevin was when he was undergoing bypass surgery back in 2011.
Being just a few weeks further on in the same process I was able to answer some questions and concerns that his wife Anne had and we became quite supportive of each other during a difficult time for both of us.
I always took time to read Kevins posts, he seemed a decent and dignified man and I'm saddened to read about his passing.
I don't visit here so often these days, we seem to have lost so many good people over the years....