L. Steven Zeke McGrade

L. McGrade Obituary

SCOTIA L. Steven Zeke McGrade, of MacArthur Drive, Scotia, N.Y., passed to a better world on Friday, September 19, 2003 at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, N.Y., surrounded by family and friends. Zeke was born on September 12, 1950, in Staten Island, N.Y., the first child of Elma (LaPrairie) and Lawrence McGrade. He is survived by his partner, Betty Ann Hughes of Scotia, N.Y.; his father, Larry of Hendersonville, N.C.; sisters, Rita Van Dresar and Dorris Byars of Westernville, N.Y. and Teresa Sammartino of Pittsboro; brothers, Michael McGrade of Hendersonville, N.C. and David McGrade of Adams, Wis.; a special aunt, Cecelia Day of Albany, N.Y.; numerous nieces and nephews, sisters- and brothers-in-law, aunts and uncles; and his four-legged companions who are lost without him, Rowdy, Teaser and Mischief. His mother and brother, Walter, preceded him in death. Zeke graduated from Remsen Central School, Remsen, N.Y. and the Maria College of Albany, N.Y. nursing program. He served as an aide and LPN at Albany Medical Center and gave private care. He was also a motorcycle mechanic at Star Garage, Green Island, N.Y. and an avid rider. Following his early retirement, he provided childcare and served as the handyman-on-call for a wide community of relatives and friends. Those services will be sorely missed. A wake and commendation will be held at noon on Saturday, October 11, 2003 at the Scotia-Glenville Elks Lodge, NYS Route 5 (Amsterdam Road), one mile west of the Mohawk River Bridge at Thruway Exit 26.

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Published by Albany Times Union on Sep. 26, 2003.

Memories and Condolences
for L. McGrade

5 Entries

Doe

September 20, 2021

It has been 18 years since I last saw you. You are missed and thought about. We will never forget you. God is with you.

Randi Johnson

October 22, 2003

The voice on the phone, that should have been on radio or TV, that had us all smiling each and every call! That is what we most remember about Steve. I work with his sister Dorris, and we came to know Steve from him calling her over the years. And when he called, we all fought to speak to the man with the silver voice! Smooth, soothing, and always so gentle. He always made us laugh and smile - and blush a bit! We always enjoyed Steve visiting Dorris in the office, and will miss him very much. Our hearts go out to each and everyone in the family. We will miss him very much!

Aurora McGrade

October 8, 2003

When the road turns

and there are two paths ahead

one must choose

you choose your path

you start to walk

you never realize how many talk

they thank you for what

youve done for them

they say a prayer

sin is at end

youre now at peace

forever loved

thank you God

for bringing my Uncle above...

Paul and Liz Tremblay

September 26, 2003

Steve McGrade was known to us as "Zeke". Or, as I would often refer to him, "the Zeke- meister."

Paul and I met Zeke 19 years ago in Rensselaer. We were living at my father's house on Belleview Terrace; we had just moved back to the area from NC. Two doors down from us, Zeke was renting an apartment. The landlords, Cheryl and Dave, babysat our children after school. Next door to them was my childhood friend and her husband, Maureen and Bruce Hotaling. It was Bruce who introduced us to Zeke. And the rest is history.

One of the first things we learned about Zeke was his incredible physical strength. He would move cars stuck on the street in the winter time, by pushing them by himself. He was as gentle as he was strong. I remember he would lift our kids, one in each hand, up over his head, and he looked like he was lifting a couple of stuffed animals. He was very gentle with the children (sorry Zeke, I know that ruins your tough guy, biker image) and they bonded with him easily. He had a wonderful way with children, with his calm manner and soothing voice. Our children love Zeke.

Over the years, Zeke would come and visit, all the while his condition getting more debilitating. He would never complain about his ailments. He always accepted it as "what mother nature" wanted. His positive attitude was such a part of who he was. I think we all learned a lot from him. His faith in God was strong and infectious. We had many conversations about life and what kinds of challenges we deal with in our lives.

Recently, Zeke played a key role in our acquiring a dog. Our youngest son, Mark, wanted a dog and we started looking about three years ago. We were pretty sure what we wanted, but we didn't want to pay a lot of money. Most places wanted about $700. for a black lab puppy. We were just about to give up looking when Zeke told Paul he saw an ad in the paper that someone had black lab pups for sale. Paul called and we were able to get the last male pup for only $200. We named him Obi Wan Kinobe. I e-mailed the breeder and asked when the pups were born, I wanted to know his birthday. The first year, guess who remembers the dog's birthday: Zeke! He calls on Jan. 5 to wish Obi a happy birthday. It was so funny, because we had totally forgotten it was Obi's birthday, yet Zeke remembered! Obi will miss Zeke and Rowdy. We have a great picture of Zeke holding Obi in one hand and Rowdy in the other when they were both the same size.

We feel privileged to have known Zeke, and even more so to call him our friend. We love you, Zeke. Watch over us and keep us on the right path. Thank you.

Liz and Paul, Jennifer, Chris and Mark Tremblay, and Obi

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