Graham McGrath: Illinois family remembers FGCU student, 19, found in lake as 'kind, old soul'

Tomas Rodriguez, Fort Myers News-Press
Updated ·4 min read

An Illinois family is remembering their son, an FGCU student who drowned at a lake Wednesday while boating with friends, as a kind, old soul whose personality, smile and laugh were infectious.

During a Thursday morning press conference, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno had identified the late student as Graham McGrath, 19. Graham McGrath, whose family lives in Kankakee, Illinois, died roughly one week before his 20th birthday. Kankakee is about an hour south of Chicago.

"Graham (Grahamy as I called him) was a kind, old soul at the ripe age of 19," his father, Timothy McGrath, wrote in a statement.

McGrath said his son could make anyone smile, adding that he was confident, smart and sensitive.

"He could and would talk to anyone about anything. He had a special, beautiful way of engaging people and asking them questions about themselves," McGrath wrote. "He was full of life, exciting and fun to be around, and someone his friends and family could always count on to be there without exception and under any circumstances.  To know him was to love him."

A leader among his family, father says

Timothy McGrath said his son was "extremely family oriented and focused."

"He was the proudest uncle and godfather of his 2-year-old nephew, Pierce," Timothy McGrath wrote. "He loved him dearly."

Graham McGrath was the third of four siblings, his father said.

"He was the glue between them keeping in frequent contact, often being the mediator and coordinator of communication and activity," Timothy McGrath wrote. "It was nearly a guarantee that either myself or my wife (or both of us) would hear from him at least once a day."

Graham McGrath would call, text and share songs that he liked or resonated with him, Timothy McGrath said in the statement.

"Graham treasured his friendships, young and old," Timothy McGrath wrote. "If you were in his circle, you knew it. He cared deeply about his friendships."

Graham McGrath was pursuing his passion at FGCU

Pamela McCabe, spokesperson for the university, said Graham McGrath was a sophomore.

Timothy McGrath said his son was in FGCU's construction management program, pursuing his passion for construction.

"He was a summer intern for a major commercial construction company for the last two summers and was extremely excited about his future in the industry," Timothy McGrath wrote. "He had big dreams and goals and I have absolutely zero doubt he was going to achieve them all and then some."

Graham McGrath 'loved by all,' fraternity brothers say

The Lambda Xi chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha took to Instagram, where they shared their condolences for Graham McGrath, who they said was "was loved by all" in the fraternity.

A memorial for 19-year-old Graham McGrath is set up at Lake Como in Fort Myers on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. Authorities recovered McGrath’s body from the lake Thursday morning after an approximately 16-hour search.
A memorial for 19-year-old Graham McGrath is set up at Lake Como in Fort Myers on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. Authorities recovered McGrath’s body from the lake Thursday morning after an approximately 16-hour search.

"Graham had a kind soul as his smile was able to be seen by all," the fraternity wrote. "His ambitious character and his gravitating personality was able to show what it means to be a true PIKE."

The university's president, Aysegul Timur, wrote the "entire FGCU community is devastated by the loss" of Graham McGrath.

"Our hearts and deepest sympathy go out to Graham's family, the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, his friends and all members of our Eagle community as we cope with this unfortunate tragedy," Timur wrote.

A photo of McGrath singing karaoke sits at a memorial for him at Lake Como in Fort Myers on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023.
A photo of McGrath singing karaoke sits at a memorial for him at Lake Como in Fort Myers on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023.

Timur and Marceno had been in "constant contact" throughout the search efforts, she wrote.

Marceno confirmed Thursday that searchers found Graham McGrath's body around 11 a.m., some 16 hours after he went missing. A call alerted them around 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Detectives continue to interview the other 13 people from the boat. Marceno said the boat is a wake boat designed to go slow, but create a wake of 4 to 5 feet.

Authorities said Graham McGrath fell overboard. They said his body didn't show any signs of trauma.

Lake Como, where the incident happened, is shared by the university and the nearby Miromar Lakes living community. McCabe said FGCU has restrictions for the use of their Waterfront area, which is not intended for public use.

She said it consists of a designated swimming and sunbathing area for students, who may check out boats with their student IDs. The swimming area is only open for use when lifeguards are present, she added.

McCabe said the university doesn't believe Graham McGrath was with other fraternity members when the incident happened.

Students and friends dropped off flowers and mementos in Graham McGrath's honor at the Lake Como beach.

"Grahamy was such a special, caring, young man and son," Timothy McGrath wrote. "We are in shock and disbelief.  The largest holes have been left in our hearts.  We will miss him dearly and will always treasure our memories together."

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Twitter @TomasFRoBeltran.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Illinois family mourns FGCU student who died in Fort Myers lake