Obituary of Paul T. McGrath

Paul Thomas McGrath was born in South Ruislip, Middlesex, UK to Michael John and Margaret Mary McGrath and raised in Hemel Hempstead. He attended John F. Kennedy School Hemel Hempstead and earned an Electrical Engineering degree from Lancaster University in the UK. After graduating, Paul worked for Ferranti Semiconductors, Oldham, UK. Paul came to California in 1990 to work for GEC Plessey Semiconductors in Scotts Valley as an Integrated Circuit Design Engineer. In 1996, he joined Mixed Signal Systems, where he worked with the close-knit group of friends and colleagues for nine years. His contributions as a member of the MS2 team were many. In the workplace and beyond, Paul was a central figure, part of the gel that helped the group get along. Paul organized many enjoyable events with his work and other friends, including 5-minute tea breaks, pop quizzes, evenings at the Front Street Pub, and skiing or camping trips. An avid cyclist, Paul regularly rode his bicycle to work where his example encouraged others to take on the substantial ride over the foothills of the Santa Cruz mountains. Over the years, Paul became more interested in the environmental effects of traffic and commuting. Biking or walking almost everywhere he went, Paul was devoted to this issue and determined to make positive changes beyond himself. In 2005, Paul left his established engineering career to form RideSpring. Providing tailored alternative commute programs for organizations, including the City of Santa Cruz, GAP and SAP, the company's mission was to reduce the number of single occupancy car trips with a ride matching service and novel incentive program. He was awarded a patent for his company process. His vision, passion and hard work led to significant successes with extremely high and persistent user participation. Paul's commitment and contributions to this cause showed that a motivated individual can have a meaningful impact on the wider world around him. Paul also became a US citizen in 2005. In addition to his accomplishments as an engineer and environmental entrepreneur, Paul was a talented performer. A brilliant improviser and 11-year member of Um…Gee…Um Improv Troupe, he shared many scenes with his fellow improvisers, sometimes so funny it was hard to believe the stories were made up on the spot. His apt quips in the most trying of circumstances made us laugh on stage and off. Paul's fantastic sense of humor, intelligence and eye for the absurd kept his friends rolling in laughter even when he suffered quietly in his own despair. He is dearly missed and remembered for the good and kind man he was by those who knew and loved him, including many friends here in the US and the UK, his mother Margaret, sisters Julie, Ann, Kathleen, brother Michael, and wife Vanessa. A memorial service will be held at 11 am, Saturday August 23, 2014 at Santa Cruz Memorial-Oakwood Chapel, 3301 Paul Sweet Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95065, with a reception immediately following at the Chaminade Resort & Spas, One Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95065. In leiu of flowers, and in keeping with Paul's appreciation of the natural beauty of the state he came to call home, donations may be made in his name to the California State Parks Foundation.apt quips in the most trying of circumstances he made us laugh on stage and off. Paul's fantastic sense of humor, intelligence and eye for the absurd, kept his friends rolling in laughter even when he suffered quietly in his own despair. He is dearly missed and remembered for the good and kind man he was by those who knew and loved him, including many friends here in the US and the UK, his mother Margaret, sisters Julie, Ann, Kathleen, brother Michael and wife Vanessa. A memorial service will be held at 11 am, Saturday August 23, 2014 at Santa Cruz Memorial-Oakwood Chapel, 3301 Paul Sweet Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95065, with a reception immediately following at the Chaminade Resort & Spas, One Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95065. In leiu of flowers, and in keeping with Paul's appreciation of the natural beauty of the state he came to call home, donations may be made in his name to the California State Parks Foundation.