Our dad, Patrick V. Grady, was one of a kind. He was our best friend, our favorite Irishman, hilarious (pee-your-pants funny), our mentor in the real estate business, and the best role model of teaching our children the meaning of family. It was never a question of how much he loved us, our mother Elizabeth, or his seven grandchildren. Our pictures were plastered on every inch of his office, and he wasn’t ever embarrassed to brag about any of us. He was proud of us, and, lucky for us, he was great at expressing his love, making us all feel like we were his favorite. Just last year at Thanksgiving, he created a poster board with a column for each family member of why he loved them and what accomplishments he was proud of, all while wearing his too tight referee shirt from the 1960s to make us laugh.

We lost P.G. on July 3, 2016, to an unexpected fall. We weren’t ready to let him go, and saying an unexpected goodbye was devastating to all that loved him. His last day on earth was spent meeting his buddies at one of his favorite Irish pubs, having a putting contest with his best friend from high school, and spending time with the love of his life for more than 50 years, Elizabeth “Betty” Grady. One of the last things he said to her that day was, “Wow, do you look beautiful today!” He was always in awe of our mother’s beauty and was not afraid to show his affection to her in public.
Pat Grady loved being Irish and he let everyone know it with his crazy leprechaun corduroy green pants he wore for St. Patrick’s Day and Parade Day. He coached numerous youth sports over three decades and constantly had grown men coming up to him calling him “coach.” He played Santa for 30 years and relished in little children’s faces as Santa showed up at their house with presents with their name on it.

Pat Grady loved people. Everywhere he went, he enjoyed shaking hands, buying a drink, or sharing a story or two. He was a successful realtor for more than 50 years, placing Shamrock’s “for sale” signs all around town. He left his mark volunteering numerous hours in the community and was a great example of how to work hard for your family and others less fortunate. We will forever miss that constant smile and the pranks he was always playing.

–Cindy Grady Hamilton, daughter