Norman Jay McGath

Norman Jay “Mick” McGath went to meet his heavenly Father on October 23, 2020. In his final days, he was surrounded by the family he adored and who loved him deeply in return. It’s a comfort to know he died holding his daughter’s hand and awoke to the Saviour he faithfully served during his time on Earth.

Norman was born to Lois and Edward McGath on Oct. 9, 1941 in Bedford, Indiana. He was the youngest of eight children -- which he always said forced him to train to run faster so he’d make it to the table in time to get a fair share of food. It’s a skill that would come in handy later on, during holiday dinners with eight great-grandchildren.

As more recent memories grew dim, his love for his siblings and his parents became even more clear. During visits with his family, he’d often tell stories of his brothers’ shenanigans (obviously, he took no part), and his mother’s efforts to wrangle the five boys. Those Bedford memories stayed as vivid as ever.

Norman loved his wife, Patricia, since he was 18. Six months after they started dating, they married on July 9, 1960. The bride wore a beautiful dress and the groom bore a striking resemblance to Pee-Wee Herman.

They were a team for better or worse, in sickness and in health. Norm stayed at Pat’s side during her battle with cancer in 2017 -- and this year, they celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary at his memory care center.

Together, Norman and Pat started McGath’s Marathon, where generations of McGaths would work their first jobs. He was the most honest mechanic and hard-working business owner for 36 years, before retiring in 2007. He poured his heart and soul into that service station, yet he still let his grandchildren *literally* draw on the ceilings with permanent markers simply because they asked.

In 1975, Norman built his dream home with his wife and two children. That home became the epicenter of the family for the next 45 years. Of course, the Christmas Eve dinners and Easter egg hunts that teetered on the verge of violence stand out -- but the everyday tractor rides and afternoons on the tire swing or in the playhouse are just as memorable.

Perhaps above all else, Norman McGath was kind.

In his memory care center, Norman was known to find other residents who were sitting alone and rub their backs. He’d help the staff deliver medicine to all the residents each day and he’d share his beloved Pacers hats with anyone who asked. Still, his kindness only went so far. We’re told he also hid Zebra Cakes around the facility to make sure he always had his own stash tucked away.

We’ll miss finding those Zebra Cakes and the flashlights he had hidden around the house, because you’ll never know when you might need one.

Norman is preceded in death by his parents and his siblings: Edward “Bud” Aufenberg, Sherry (Aufenberg) Craven, John McGath, Tom McGath, Judy (McGath) Clark and Jerry McGath.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his sister, Janet (McGath) Miller; his daughter and son-in-law, Terri and Joe Smith; his son and daughter-in-law, Randall Jay and Tricia McGath; his granddaughter and her husband, Hallie and Leonard “Buddy” Himes; his granddaughter and her husband, Jessica and Travis Perry; his grandson and his wife, Tyler Jay and Katie McGath; his granddaughter and her fiancé, Sydney McGath and Christian Adaway; his great-grandchildren, Jackson, Peter, Charlotte, Claire and Ruby Himes; Harrison Jay, Harper and Tatum McGath.

You can pay your respects at Union Chapel Cemetery at 8301 Union Chapel Road in Indianapolis. After years of telling his family to lay him to rest on his Pendleton property among the graveyard of family pets -- he almost had them convinced, but ultimately they decided against that questionable, if not illegal, decision. (Grandpa, please don’t be mad.)

We are so grateful to the teams at Meadow Brook Senior and Assisted Living Center & Harrison Terrace for helping care for Norman in his final year. We won’t forget your kindness, skill and grace during our family’s most challenging time -- all in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic.

More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s right now. It’s a cruel disease for which there is still no cure. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association to support their invaluable work.

You could also honor Norman by singing his favorite song, “Victory in Jesus,” whenever you think of him.

If you would like to make a donation to Alzheimer's please follow the link.
https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2