John Willis Gridley Jr.

Gridley, John Willis, Jr. of Minneapolis, died Dec. 21, 2012 at age 73. His parents, Dr. John and Dorothy Gridley and sons, Willis and James, preceded him in death. Survived by wife Jean Deatrick, John loved and was loved by his stepchildren who were a constant helpful presence during his long illness: Steve (Diane) Deatrick, Heidi Deatrick (Kim Hauschild), Heather Deatrick (Gregory Schultz), and Katherine (Martin) Trimble. Survived by daughter, Janet Gridley (David Schechter); grandchildren, Vincent Twinn, Cameron Hauschild, Andrew Deatrick, Earl Van Norman, Henry Schechter, William John and Gregory Schultz, Eve Marie Trimble, and expected baby Lily or John Trimble. Survived by stepmother, Phyllis Gridley; sister, Janet Sawyer; brother, Frederick (Camille) Gridley; sister-in- law, Sandra (Loren) Jacobson; brother-in-law, Gary Johnson; son-in-law, Gary (Antje) Twinn, and beloved cousins, Stephen (Annette) Alderson, Marianne (Charles) Leighton, and Martha (Don) Nicholas and nieces and nephews. John was a financial executive and CFO of a Fortune 500 company. He attended Hamline, Princeton, Harvard Business School, and the University of Southern California. In retirement he was business manager of Hill & Lake Press, former treasurer of political campaigns and Lowry Hill Neighborhood Association, a member of the City of Minneapolis Development Finance Committee, and he assisted Council Member Lisa Goodman and Mike Christensen at the Humphrey School. John's great love was sailing, particularly ocean racing. He enjoyed his Bayfield vacation home and sailed his Oday 30 on Lake Superior. John was a member of the Wayzata and Bayfield Yacht Clubs, the Woman's Club of Minneapolis, and St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral where a Memorial Service will be held Saturday, Dec. 29, at 11 AM.