John McGrory, 76; founded glass firm

John J. McGrory, 76, of Garnet Valley, owner of McGrory Glass Co. and a youth sports coach, died of cancer Friday, April 1.

Mr. McGrory grew up in Southwest Philadelphia and married Mary Rita Harley in 1956. They met as teens when she was a student at West Catholic High School for Girls and he was attending West Catholic High School for Boys.

In 1984, after the glass company where he was general manager closed, he and his wife established McGrory Glass in Chester. The company expanded and moved to Aston in 1996, and to a large facility in Paulsboro in 2008.

The firm fabricates and distributes decorative glass for clients, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and is a supplier of radiation-shielding glass for hospitals and medical offices. McGrory Glass employs 40 people as well as eight of John and Mary McGrory's 10 children.

The couple raised their family in Springfield, Delaware County. Mr. McGrory coached youth baseball for many years for the Springfield Athletic League. For 21 years, until 1993, he coached the seventh- and eighth-grade football team at St. Francis of Assisi School in Springfield. His teams were invited to the Catholic Youth Organization's Parade of Champions 14 times.

Mr. McGrory was active with the West Catholic Alumni Association and received the school's Golden Burr Award in 2005.

He is survived by sons John Jr., Christopher, Chuck, Gary, and Michael; daughters Nancy Houtmann, Jane Kraiza, Barbara McGlinchey, Marianne Rafter, and Clare; two brothers; and 23 grandchildren. Mary McGrory died in 2009.

A Funeral Mass will be at noon, Wednesday, April 6, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 430 Valleybrook Rd., Chester Heights. Friends may call from 10 a.m. Burial will be in SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Marple Township.

Donations may be made to Villa St. Joseph Fund for retired priests, 1436 Lansdowne Ave., Darby, Pa. 19023.