Hubert J. McGrath, 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Fort Meade VA Medical Center on Friday, July 21, 2023 after a brief illness.

Hubert was born on September 2, 1929 in Lead, South Dakota to John and Margaret (Jennings) McGrath. He was the youngest of 14 children and adored by his siblings who called him "Sonny".

He attended St. Patrick's Catholic School in Lead through the eighth grade. After his father passed away, Hubert and his mother moved to Chicago, Illinois. He completed his freshman year at Austin High School, upon which they returned to Lead. He graduated from Lead High School in 1948.

He caught the eye of a young Margaret Vancas of Deadwood at a local dance and told her on their first date that he was going to marry her, to which she replied, "No you're not, Hubert".  Guess he had the last laugh when Hubert and Margie were married on June 16, 1954 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Deadwood. They enjoyed 57 wonderful years of marriage up until Margie's passing in 2011.

Hubert worked as a theater usher both in Chicago and in Lead, and as a pinsetter at the Homestake Bowling Alley. He worked at Homestake Mining Company before entering the United States Army. He proudly served his country as a telephone repair man stationed at Ft. Belvoir, Maryland. After an honorable discharge, he and Margie returned home to the Black Hills to start a family. He resumed his employment at Homestake where he was an underground electrician and after 43 years, retired in 1992.

Hubert or "Red" loved living in the Black Hills and was well-known throughout the Lead and Deadwood communities. He made friends easily as he was a kind, courteous, compassionate, witty and generous man. It was important Hubert knew your name, and during conversations he probed to find out what you cared about and then he remembered these specifics. Those who visited Hubert in his last days were amazed at the details he recalled about their lives.

Hubert's faith guided his life. During their lives, his children would often find him on his knees praying to his heavenly Father. He and Margie worked hard to instill the gift of faith in their children and helped them learn the values of humor, respect, right from wrong, and peace. However, the greatest gift Hubert and Margie gave to their children and those who knew them, was love.

He lived with his daughter Cindy and son-in-law Rich for the past three years and they created many memories, shared much laughter and cherished their time together.

The family would like to extend our gratitude to all who assisted in Dad's care in recent years.  We are especially grateful to the Black Hills VA, to those who brought Dad communion over the years and are indebted to the staff at Heartland Home Health who made his last years comfortable, dignified and happy.

Hubert is survived by his four children and their spouses who were blessed he was their Dad.  They are John (Carol) McGrath of Brandon, SD; Mark (Rhonda) McGrath of Boulder Canyon; Michelle (Steve) Hovland of Nemo, and Cindy (Rich) Ostert of Belle Fourche. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Chase McGrath, Danielle McGrath, Chaz McGrath, Chandler McGrath, Laney McGrath, Marc McGrath, Roy Buchanan, Michelle Buchanan, Nikayla (Hovland) Barnes, Jon Hovland, Amy Fierro, Kristina (Fierro) Shields, Heath Ostert, Dustin Ostert, and his great grandchildren, Kyla McGrath, Journie, Noah and Calla McGrath, Jackson and Taylor Barnes, Remy and Ramsey Shields and Liam Ostert. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents, beloved wife Margie, siblings, Evelyn, Marge, Ceil, Dick, Kathleen, Della, John, Virginia, Florence, Bill, Helen, Maxine and Eileen.

Visitation will be at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Lead on Wednesday, July 26, from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM with a Vigil at 7:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Patrick's on Thursday, July 27, at 10:30 AM. Lunch will follow the service and Hubert will be buried at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis.  A memorial has been established to Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Lead.

Arrangements are under the care of Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com