Prominent Minnesota lawyer, lobbyist William McGrann has died

For decades as an influential lawyer and lobbyist, William McGrann was the go-to guy on big projects, shaping the Minneapolis entertainment scene with his advocacy for projects from the Metrodome to the Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis Convention Center and Target Field.

McGrann, 86, died Jan. 19 from complications of dementia at the family’s cabin on the shore of Lake Superior in Schroeder, just south of Tofte. He had been ill, but still enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins, the Vikings and Gophers in his final two years when he lived at the cabin with his corgi Ava and younger son, Patrick, as his caregiver, family members said.

McGrann and his wife Judith, who met at the University of Minnesota and were married nearly 60 years, lived and raised their three children in Minneapolis. Judith McGrann was the proprietor of Judith McGrann and Friends, a colorful clothing store in Minneapolis and St. Louis Park, until she sold it in 2017.

As a founding partner of McGrann Shea Carnival Straughn & Lamb law firm, McGrann was a longtime presence at Minneapolis City Hall and the State Capitol. Although a power broker by any standard, the mustachioed McGrann was unfailingly friendly and slightly mischievous.

“Everybody wanted to follow Bill because he just had this magnetic personality that was so endearing to people,” said Doug Carnival, his law partner of 50 years. “He was just a fabulous teacher and an incredible advocate and one of those guys who knew everybody in town.”

Minnesota Vikings Vice President Lester Bagley knew and worked with McGrann for decades. “He was smart, connected and highly regarded,” Bagley said. “We will miss the twinkle in his eye and wry smile that made him a joy to work with.”

McGrann was born Oct. 23, 1937, in St. Cloud to Josephine and William McGrann. He grew up in Owatonna before attending St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn. He served in the military, completing infantry and Army Ranger training at Fort Benning, Ga., followed by counterintelligence instruction.

He returned from the war to work at the U.S. Capitol while earning another graduate degree from George Washington University. McGrann served as a special assistant to the late Sen. Hubert H. Humphrey.

While at the U, he and Judith McGrann also met lifelong friends Tom and Margit Berg. Tom served in the Legislature and as a U.S. Attorney for Minnesota. The couple own a cabin next to the McGranns’ house on Lake Superior. Berg recalled numerous trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness that began when their children were young.

“We all went up there year after year after year, and we talked about it for the rest of our lives,” Berg said. “We caught fish and played jokes on each other.”

They called themselves the “Toilet Troupe” and had a longstanding joke about a black bear they named Mildred who appeared at one campsite and wouldn’t leave. “Bill came up and started saying, ‘Mildred, get your (expletive) out of here,’” Berg said.

When they broke camp, McGrann played taps and the kids would line up and salute a piece of toilet paper that served as a flag. Berg called McGrann a “good progressive Democrat.”

In addition to his wife and son Patrick, both of Minneapolis, McGrann is survived by his son Chris (Sharon) of Orono, daughter Meghan McGrann (Chris Lawrence) of Minneapolis and five grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held May 22 where Chris McGrann said the family will insist on levity. “It is an absolute celebration,” he said.