Submitted by the Family

OSTERVILLE, MASS. — John Louis (pronounced “Lewie”) McGraw Sr, died on July 4 at his home in Osterville. He was born in 1930 in Summit, N.J., the third child of Donald Cushing McGraw and Elizabeth (Bidgood) McGraw. He graduated from Newark Academy preparatory school in 1949, attended Lehigh University and earned an MBA from Columbia University in 1957.

McGraw enlisted in the US Navy and was stationed at the Jacksonville (Fla.) Naval Air Station, where he met his future bride, Marjorie Lee Peddy, in 1951. They married that same year, and after completing his military service, the couple moved to New Jersey.

McGraw had a long career with the publishing firm McGraw-Hill, which his grandfather had founded. During his career there, he served as an Executive Vice President, as well as Chairman of the board.

Upon retiring from McGraw-Hill, McGraw joined his wife in a business selling antiques. They would eventually become renowned collectors of early American furniture and paintings. He served as Chair of the Boards of the Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library and The Norton Museum of Art. He also served on the Board of Newark Academy and was a member of the Metropolitan Opera Advisory Board.

John McGraw greatly enjoyed flying his airplane. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed membership at clubs such as Pine Valley, Baltusrol, Gulf Stream, Wianno, Somerset Hills, Essex Fells, Canoe Brook, White Beaches and the New York Yacht Club. He traveled extensively for his job and later with his family, including cruises at sea and along Europe’s rivers. He and his wife owned flats in London many years ago.

John McGraw Sr. is survived by his wife of 71 years, Marjorie; their six children, John of Gig Harbor, Wash.; Lee of Falmouth, Mass.; Mark of Scottsdale, Ariz.; Scott of Cotuit Mass.; Lynne of Centerville, Mass.; and Brian of Bethesda, Md. He is also survived by his five grandchildren and three great-granddaughters.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cape Cod Healthcare Foundation or the Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library.