John McGraw, 66, metallurgist at mint in Phila.

John C. McGraw, 66, of Springfield, Delaware County, a former metallurgist at the U.S. Mint, died of complications from heart disease Friday, May 1, at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.

Mr. McGraw began his career as an engineer at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard before joining the mint in 1974. He worked in engineering and management until 1983, when President Ronald Reagan appointed him chief assayer.

As chief assayer, Mr. McGraw tested the metals used for making coins to ensure they met the federal government's standards. He also helped design and implement the state-designated U.S. quarters.

A more social aspect of his job was to produce special coins for foreign and domestic leaders and celebrities. Some of those he met were Ethel Kennedy, Maria Shriver, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Howard Toll, Mr. McGraw's colleague at the mint for many years, said Mr. McGraw's engaging personality and knowledge made him among the mint's most respected managers.

"Virtually every employee in the mint system felt comfortable working with John, and considered him a true friend," Toll said.

Mr. McGraw retired from the mint in 2002 as its production manager, and immediately plunged into a second career as a science teacher at Strath Haven High School in Wallingford.

School principal MaryJo Yannacone said, "Students immediately gravitated to him because of his sense of humor and ability to connect with kids regardless of academic ability."

Mr. McGraw earned his metallurgical engineering degree at Drexel University, where he pledged Alpha Pi Lambda and remained an organizer and mentor for undergraduate fraternity members for more than 40 years. In 2014, he was inducted into the Alpha Pi Lambda Crimson and Grey Society, which honors distinguished alumni and fraternity members.

Born in South Philadelphia, Mr. McGraw was the son of John and Eleanor McGraw. At St. Joseph's Preparatory School, from which he graduated in 1966, he played the cornet in various bands.

Mr. McGraw suffered a heart attack at age 34, and battled heart disease, but never let the illness keep him from living a full life, his family said.

In the last 15 years, Mr. McGraw played volleyball three nights a week and participated in student-teacher basketball games until 2014. In 2004 and 2005, he hiked the Grand Canyon and explored the Rocky Mountains from Utah to Canada with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Lynn M. Swank McGraw; sons Patrick, Michael and J. Daniel; three grandchildren; two sisters; a brother; and nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 5, prior to a 10:30 a.m. Funeral Mass, at Holy Cross Church, 651 E. Springfield Rd., Springfield. Burial is private.

Donations may be made to the American Heart Association via http://honor.americanheart.org/goto/JohnCMcGraw.

610-313-8102

This article has been corrected from a previous version.