Colleen is daughter of Tom & Kathy (Murray) McGrath. Her parents founded Tom McGrath Clambakes, Inc. in 1969 which her brother, T.R., currently owns and operates. Colleen also has a sister Bridget Bidlack.
Both the McGraths and Murrays have a long history of involvement in Newport.
Tom is a retired Newport fire fighter and a member of several civic organizations including the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Knights of Columbus. He currently serves as the planning director for the Restoration Advisory Board at the Naval Station which he joined in 1998.
Kathy is a graduate of Salve Regina. She currently serves as president of the Rogers High School Alumni Association and on St. Mary's Capital Campaign. She was a Meals on Wheels volunteer for twenty five years.
Tom's father Thomas F. McGrath (also known as Mugsy) was also a retired fire fighter. He was a caretaker for a Bellevue Avenue estate where he lived with his wife Cora. Tom was also known locally for his skills as a bakemaster. Tom's father Dick McGrath was a member of the Newport Five and received recognition in Ripley's Believe It Or Not for scoring the most baskets in a single game.
the murrays
Kathy's father John Edward Murray, Jr. served as the City of Newport's finance director from 1954 to 1974. John married Mary (Nagle) Murray and had five children - Kathy, Maggi Murray, Eddie Murray, Paddy (Murray) Oakley and Teri (Murray) Laswell. His father, John E. Murray, served on Newport's Police Force for 40 years retiring in 1956 as a captain.