John H. Grady Jr.

Former mayor and longtime Livingston resident John H. Grady Jr., 87, passed away at his home in Virginia on Thursday, May 30, 2013, according to his family. Mr. Grady and his family lived in Livingston, N.J., for over 50 years. A Funeral Mass will be held in honor of Mr. Grady at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Gainesville, Va., at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 4. Viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday evening, June 3, at the Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center St., Manassas, Va. John Grady was born in New Bedford, Mass., the oldest of two sons to John H. and Ellen Sweeny Grady, and was raised in Watertown, Mass. He graduated from Watertown High School. Mr. Grady attended Yale University, graduating in the Class of 1948. He interrupted his time at Yale to serve in the United States Navy during World War II, returning after his service to complete his studies. Mr. Grady enjoyed a successful career in business as a buyer and financial planner at the M&M Mars Company, the Reaction Motors Division of Thiokol Corporation, and later at the Bali Division of Hanes Corporation, all in New Jersey. He retired to Livingston to become more active in civic activities and residential real estate sales. In 1976, Mr. Grady was elected to the first of two terms as a Democrat on the Livingston Township Council. He served two terms as mayor of Livingston. He was also the president of the Livingston Kiwanis Club, a coach in the Livingston Little League and Junior Football, and an active member of St. Philomena's Church. Mr. Grady is survived by his wife of 63 years, Barbara, a former assistant dean at Seton Hall Law School, and by five children, all graduates of Livingston High School, Joanne Huskey of Bethesda, Md.; Christine Grady of Washington, D.C.; John H. Grady III of Marietta, Ga.; Barbara Grady-Ayer of Albany, Calif., and Robert Grady of Jackson, Wyo. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren.