Obituaries in Camarillo, CA | Ventura County Star (2024)

Hon. Charles R. McGrath

Oxnard - The Honorable Charles Robert McGrath, of Oxnard, CA, passed away on Monday, November 22, 2021, following a lengthy illness. He was 84 years old.

Charles "Chuck" was born on July 6, 1937, to George and Mary Agnes McGrath in Oxnard and was a lifelong resident of the area. Charles was the oldest of two children, along with his younger sister Mary Ellen McGrath.

Chuck attended Catholic schooling throughout his life, attending Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana and St. Catherine's Military School in Anaheim. He then went on to attend Loyola University in Los Angeles, where he originally studied Premed but to the disappointment of his parents, dropped out while at the top of his class, and went to Law School at Loyola University School of Law instead. He received his B.S. in June of 1959 and got his J.D. in June of 1963 and was the recipient of the Bancroft Whitney Award. While doing all of that he also enlisted in the Marines Corps Reserves and served from 1959 to 1965.

While still in school, he was a claims adjuster for Farmers Ins. Group in South Pasadena, CA from 1961 to 1964 and then started in Private Law Practice in 1964 with Nordman, Cormany, Hair & Compton, as an associate and worked his way to Senior Partner in January of 1970 to March of 1974.

On February 5 of 1974, Charles was appointed to Judge of the Ventura County Municipal Court District by Governor Ronald Reagan and took his oath on March 4, 1974, and served there until January 8, 1979. In November of 1978, Charles was elected to the Superior Court of Ventura County and was subsequently re-elected unopposed until his retirement in 1997. But even after retirement, Charles remained an assigned Judge for several years.

Charles served faithfully with his philosophy, "I believe that convicted criminals should be ordered to make full reimbursem*nt to victims for loss and suffering and that they should be sentenced with sufficient severity to punish them for their crimes, to deter others, and to protect society. Then once again, our courts will be responsive to the people they were created to serve. "

Charles had many memberships to organizations in the community as well as received many awards throughout his lifetime. He was part of the California Judges Association, American Judicature Association, and a public member of the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers from 1971 to 1974; chairman - enforcement and legislative committees. He was a volunteer staff attorney for the Oxnard Free Clinic from 1972 to 1974, Trustee to the Villanova School in Ojai, CA from 1971 to 1984, and was on the President's Council for Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, CA from 1975 to 1980. He was also named "Superior Court Judge of the Year" by Ventura County Trial Lawyers Association on March 18, 1896. Charles was a member of the Ventura Co. Sherriff's Posse, as secretary from 1970 to 1973, and then President from 1973 to 1974. He was also a member of the Rancheros Vistadores, Rancheros Aldofo, as well as a 4-H sponsor. He was an advocate for Loyola University School of Law and part of the Alumni Association at Loyola University. Charles was also a member of the Ventura County Humane Society.

Chuck also had many interests and hobbies. He loved physical activities such as playing tennis, basketball, and Volleyball. He loved spending time with horses, and all animals in fact. And he loved spending time with his family. "Chuck" or "Charlie" was known for his sense of humor as well as his intellect and consideration in life as well as the courtroom. He saw humor in almost every circ*mstance and brought joy to everyone around him. He was kind and considerate, and this quality was evident to all of the numerous cats, dogs, birds, wildlife, skunks, and farm animals his wife would bring home (and usually his kitchen). And even though he was in such incredible pain towards the end, he never lost his positive attitude and his sense of humor.

Chuck is preceded in death by his parents, George and Mary Agnes McGrath, and his sister Mary Ellen McGrath.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Beverlee, and his 4 children: Jack (John), Debbie, Danny, and Bridget.

A Funeral Mass is Scheduled for Charles on January 6, 2022, at Santa Clara Catholic Church, 323 S. East St. Oxnard, CA 93030, at 11:00 am. A reception will immediately follow at the McGrath Ranch, 5011 W. Gonzales Rd., Oxnard, CA 93036.