John W. "Jack" O'Grady

O'Grady, John W. "Jack" CATSKILL John W. "Jack" O'Grady, administrator, educator, coach, mentor and friend of Catskill, passed away peacefully at St. Peter's Hospice Inn on Friday, July 3, 2015 at the age of 81. John was born in Athens, March 12, 1934 to Nicholas F. and Dorothy Clough O'Grady. John graduated from Catskill High School, class of 1952. He received his B.A. and M.S. degrees from Siena College. He also did advanced graduate work at Siena, Albany State and New Paltz. John's entire professional career was devoted to the field of education. Beginning as a teacher and coach of basketball at the former St. Patrick's Academy. He also taught English and history at Richfield Springs Central and Onteora Central in Boiceville. In 1962 John took a position as guidance counselor at Coxsackie-Athens Central School, becoming director of pupil personnel services in 1967. At the time of his retirement in 1992, he was serving as principal of Coxsackie-Athens High School, where he had been employed for 30 years. John formerly served as chairman of school committee for the Greene County March of Dimes; served on the Greene County Council of the Arts; Greene County Narcotics Council; 4-H Youth Commission; NYS Association of Pupil Personnel Administrators; chairman, Greene County Committee for the Advancement of Vocational Education; Advisory Council, Columbia-Greene Community College; chairman, Greene County Basketball Officials; and president of Central Hudson Valley Board of Approved Basketball Officials. John was a person of quiet dignity, integrity, and compassion. His selfless and giving nature touched many lives throughout his professional and personal life. His enjoyment was spending time with family and friends, spending his winters in Florida and watching his favorite Yankees and Giants. John is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Dolores and Norman Sutherland of Catskill and his brother and sister-in-law, Gerard and Arlene O'Grady of Cohoes. He was beloved "Uncle Jack" to his nieces and nephews and their children, JoAnn and Gilbert Handy; Wayne and Diana Sutherland (Corey and Samantha), Darlene and Clarence King (Grady, Patrick and Molly), Colleen and David Cole (Brad, Shannon and Kyle), Charlene and Stephen Kelley (Christopher, Courtney, and Conor), Maureen and Daniel Pratt (Jason), Loreen and Steven Cobb (Paige and Morgan), Brian and Beth O'Grady (Clare and Hannah). Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Tuesday at Traver & McCurry Funeral Home, 234 Jefferson Heights, Catskill. Pastor Dan Mills of Community Hospice will officiate. Burial will follow in the Town of Catskill Cemetery. Calling hours will be on Monday from 4-7 p.m. In John's memory contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Columbia-Greene Counties.