David McGrath
All Stories
![The era was a perfect storm , when the highly regarded Dr. Benjamin Spock condoned corporal punishment and parents had unquestioning trust. The era was a perfect storm , when the highly regarded Dr. Benjamin Spock condoned corporal punishment and parents had unquestioning trust.](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/STA-L-st-bernadette-close-05.jpg?w=132)
David McGrath: Suburban church’s checkered past a cautionary tale for parents
The era was a perfect storm , when the highly regarded Dr. Benjamin Spock condoned corporal punishment and parents had unquestioning trust.
![David McGrath's wife, Marianne, left, and daughter Jackie perch on the family's unfinished cabin during construction in 1986 in northwestern Wisconsin. (Family photo) David McGrath's wife, Marianne, left, and daughter Jackie perch on the family's unfinished cabin during construction in 1986 in northwestern Wisconsin. (Family photo)](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CTC-L-david-mcgrath-family-cabin-under-construction-01.jpg?w=127)
David McGrath: I built a family cabin as an investment in America
My dream was to have a place in the country where my wife and I could nurture a passion in our kids for the outdoors.
![David McGrath's parents, Charlie and Gert McGrath, pose at a summer resort in Michigan that had room for a family of 10, circa 1956. (Family photo) David McGrath's parents, Charlie and Gert McGrath, pose at a summer resort in Michigan that had room for a family of 10, circa 1956. (Family photo)](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CTC-L-McGrath-parents-resort-North-Michigan-1956-01.jpg?w=101)
David McGrath: My father knew how to make all of his 8 kids feel special
My dad was a salesman in debt half his life and never able to buy us things. But he gave to each of us something way more valuable: himself.
![David McGrath's mother, Gertrude, and father Charles pose with son Charles Jr., circa 1945. (family photo) David McGrath's mother, Gertrude, and father Charles pose with son Charles Jr., circa 1945. (family photo)](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CTC-L-McGrath-Gertrude.jpg?w=137)
David McGrath: My mother’s love taught me why participation trophies matter
My mother’s praise in the face of my losing efforts made me feel better as a child. So participation trophy critics should take a breath.
![Author David McGrath gears up for his morning ride. (Marianne McGrath) Author David McGrath gears up for his morning ride. (Marianne McGrath)](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CTC-L-David-McGrath-bike-01.jpg?w=117)
David McGrath: You can run, but you can’t hide from heart risk posed by family genes
I learned a surprising lesson: Even the best exercise regimen may not neutralize the heart health risks your genes pose to you.
![Our bond was alphabetical: Miller, Messerich, McGrath. As high school sophomores at St. Joseph’s Franciscan Seminary in Westmont, we lined up together in class, sat in the same church pew and at the same cafeteria table, and slept in the same row of dormitory bunks. Our bond was alphabetical: Miller, Messerich, McGrath. As high school sophomores at St. Joseph’s Franciscan Seminary in Westmont, we lined up together in class, sat in the same church pew and at the same cafeteria table, and slept in the same row of dormitory bunks.](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/NVS-L-mayslake-01.jpg?w=136)
McGrath: Remembering back to that Easter week that could have changed lives if not for one heroic act
Our bond was alphabetical: Miller, Messerich, McGrath. As high school sophomores at St. Joseph’s Franciscan Seminary in Westmont, we lined up together in class, sat in the same church pew...
![In my mind, it was not a drinking problem. For we were Irish. It began those summer nights when I was 15. In my mind, it was not a drinking problem. For we were Irish. It began those summer nights when I was 15.](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/CTC-L-Irish-whiskey-CT0047834531.jpg?w=132)
David McGrath: As a youth, I learned that if you’re Irish, you drink. That mindset has consequences.
In my mind, it was not a drinking problem. For we were Irish. It began those summer nights when I was 15.
![Sometimes I become absorbed in a film to the extent that I project myself onto the screen, where I might be, say, Bradley Cooper falling in love with Carey Mulligan in "Maestro." More recently, my cinematic inspiration was Adam Driver romancing Penelope Cruz in "Ferrari." And then Shailene Woodley. Both within the same quarter hour. I am not delusional. I know that with my age and follicular challenges, I more resemble a Paul Giamatti than a Ryan Gosling. Not that there’s anything wrong with Giamatti, who is a brilliant actor and delightful man, but I think you know what I mean. Sometimes I become absorbed in a film to the extent that I project myself onto the screen, where I might be, say, Bradley Cooper falling in love with Carey Mulligan in "Maestro." More recently, my cinematic inspiration was Adam Driver romancing Penelope Cruz in "Ferrari." And then Shailene Woodley. Both within the same quarter hour. I am not delusional. I know that with my age and follicular challenges, I more resemble a Paul Giamatti than a Ryan Gosling. Not that there’s anything wrong with Giamatti, who is a brilliant actor and delightful man, but I think you know what I mean.](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CTLH-ct-nvs-mcgrath.jpg?w=140)
McGrath: Just like in the movies, I was once the star of my own love story starring the woman in black velvet
Sometimes I become absorbed in a film to the extent that I project myself onto the screen, where I might be, say, Bradley Cooper falling in love with Carey Mulligan...
![I have had some trouble sleeping. I have been worrying about a lot of things, like the recent blood test showing a jump in my glucose levels. The 1099 tax form that arrived too late. The loud ticking sound when my car is idling. And the silent treatment from Marianne since our argument about new carpeting (which we really don’t need). Sleep is important, and you’re supposed to talk to your doctor. Or a therapist. My friend Mike raves about Ambien. But I can’t deal with any of that right now because my little sister, Nancy, and her husband, Jay. I have had some trouble sleeping. I have been worrying about a lot of things, like the recent blood test showing a jump in my glucose levels. The 1099 tax form that arrived too late. The loud ticking sound when my car is idling. And the silent treatment from Marianne since our argument about new carpeting (which we really don’t need). Sleep is important, and you’re supposed to talk to your doctor. Or a therapist. My friend Mike raves about Ambien. But I can’t deal with any of that right now because my little sister, Nancy, and her husband, Jay.](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2024/01/26/UMGRTOX42BGJFCOUCJSAW5VP6M.jpg?w=135)
McGrath: Taking my sister and her husband fishing on the Gulf helps me see what matters most
I have had some trouble sleeping. I have been worrying about a lot of things, like the recent blood test showing a jump in my glucose levels. The 1099 tax...
![David McGrath: Taking my sister and her husband fishing on the Gulf helps me see what matters most David McGrath: Taking my sister and her husband fishing on the Gulf helps me see what matters most](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2024/01/26/UMGRTOX42BGJFCOUCJSAW5VP6M.jpg?w=135)
David McGrath: Taking my sister and her husband fishing on the Gulf helps me see what matters most
I have had some trouble sleeping. I have been worrying about a lot of things, like the recent blood test showing a jump in my glucose levels. The 1099 tax...