Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. dedicated a memorial bronze plaque in memory of the late Matthew BeneduceMcGrath on Wednesday, August 9, in Essex County Verona Park. McGrath, a resident of Verona who owned a popular sign-making shop in the township, lost his life when he was attempting to cross Bloomfield Avenue in June 2016.
“Born in Indiana, Matt moved to Essex County and adopted Verona as his hometown and the base of operations for his sign-making business. His signs captured the essence of the places they promoted and were a form of public art because of the intricate design, materials and passion Matt invested in each project, including the signs for each of our County Parks,” DiVincenzo said. “Unfortunately, Matt’s life was taken from us too soon. Having a plaque in his honor will help us remember a beloved friend and artist who was part of the fabric of our community,” he added.
“I want to thank everyone for their support. Matt was an artist, a perfectionist and a friend. He would have been thrilled with this great honor,” McGrath’s wife Gloria (above, right) said.
Elected officials and friends shared stories about McGrath.
“As I listened to the many tributes, I am reminded about the famous quote: ‘Let my work speak for me.’ Matt’s work speaks for him. Just as the County Parks are historic and were restored by the County Executive, so is the work by Matt. He was a true artisan,” Assembly Speaker Emeritus Sheila Oliver said.
“Signs were his craftsmanship and they were beautiful. Today we honor him for his legacy which, in addition to this plaque, can be seen in all of his signs throughout the Parks System,” Freeholder Len Luciano said. Freeholder Patricia Sebold also spoke about McGrath and how his signs have been artistic features of the parks.
“I know Matt through his work. Every week, I sit under a seal that Matt carved for Town Hall. We are honored to have his plaque here at this corner by the Park. It’s the most fitting place,” Verona Mayor Kevin Ryan said.
“Matt was a classic individual in the way he went about his work and his creativity. His artwork will remain a part of Essex County forever,” Essex County Parks Director Dan Salvante said.
“Matt was a very dear friend who came into our office every day. He was born 100 years too late because he didn’t use any modern tools to make his signs,” Hillcrest Farms owner Pat Filoso said.
“Matt was a great friend and a fantastic sign maker. He was never on time for a meeting because he had so many friends along Bloomfield Avenue and had to say hello and talk whenever he left his shop,” GSP Contracting President Greg Peterson said.
A bronze plaque honoring McGrath is located in front of the Verona Park Boathouse; Verona Park was one of the County Parks for which he created decorative signage. It begins with a quote from McGrath about his work: “Our signs are three-second storytellers.” It continues with: “He came to Verona by way of Indiana, and resided there for 29 years, with his wife, Gloria (nee Beneduce). The shop Benegrathic Sign Design, where he created handcrafted signs for a broad range of locations and organizations, was also located in his adopted hometown. Throughout Essex County, you can see his work welcoming you to Montclair, Verona and Roseland, and one of his signs greets visitors at each of Essex County’s historic parks. The signs, of high-density urethane foam to withstand the elements and individually produced, are made with 23 karat gold leaf and sometimes include details of mahogany and other woods. A sign, he observed, is the “voice of the building, the mission, the space” and, as such, has its own personality, so that an exuberant sign for a local café is different from the dignified one for a municipal courtroom. One of Matt’s favorites was the sign he did for Seton Hall Prep, which exhibits his sign philosophy best, because it not only identifies the school, but welcomes everyone in a first-class manner. Matt will be missed.”
McGrath was an active member of the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio, and supported VFW Post 2342 in Fort Lee.
Photo courtesy of Essex County
