Walter H. GRADY

GRADY Walter H. Walter H. Grady, age 95, of Pemberton Drive, died. He was born in Westborough, MA, on May 20, 1915. He was the youngest of 4 children of Mary and Patrick Grady. In jest, he would frequently say: "Eli Whitney was born there also, and he got world-wide recognition for inventing the cotton gin; all I got was a birth certificate!" When he was still a young boy, the family moved to Marlborough, Mass. where he had his elementary and high school education. After graduating from Boston College, he joined the Marshal Field Company at the State Street store in Chicago, Illinois, as assistant luggage buyer. A short time later, he then had the opportunity of working with Hartmann Luggage Company of Racine, Wisconsin. He started out as a junior salesman with a sparkling new, company-owned Pontiac station wagon to begin a sales career "on the road". His territory was composed of Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Illinois, and the Dakotas...a vast land to a New Englander who thought of directions in terms of right and left, rather than a compass! When asked what he enjoyed the most about his experiences east and west of the Mississippi, he said: "I met some wonderful people!" His travels were interrupted by WWII. After graduating from Officer's Training and serving in the states for a short while, he went overseas and landed in Normandy shortly after D-Day. He served in Normandy, Brittanny, Northern France, and the Rhineland. He received 4 battle stars. He rose to the rank of captain. He returned to Hartmann after the War years, and was made a divisional manager in a broad area east of Chicago. He married Anne Sughrue, of Brookline, MA, in 1947. They chose Toledo, Ohio, for its central location and being a hub for major cities. They raised 5 children, Michael Dennis (Nancy), U.S. Army (Major pilot) Ret., San Antonio, TX, Dr. Walter Patrick, D.C., Toledo, Ohio, Thomas John (Anne Grady Center, Holland, Ohio), Patricia Anne (David) Peterson (teacher), Chicago, Illinois, and Paul Christopher (Jo), U.S. Army Ret. (microwave communications specialist), Converse, Texas; 5 dearly loved grandchildren: Michael Charles, Jaqueline Anne, Seana Kathleen, Amelia Anne, and Christopher James; and 4 great-grandchildren: Charles Ambrose, Colman Aubrey, Theodore Augustine, and Charles Grady. He was pre-deceased by his wife, Anne in 1988; his sister, Mary, and 2 brothers, Thomas and John, in Massachusetts. His many dear friends are cherished and they are responsible for keeping him in such good spirits through their love and caring. Special caretakers: Bettye, Kerry, Mary Anne, Norman, and Brenda. The family spent many memorable times in their summer home in Nahant, Massachusetts. He was a charter member of St. Pius X, and active in many ways. He enjoyed singing and dancing and telling stories. At one time, he was a member of the Community Singers, also known as the Diocesan Choir Singers. He was also active at the Anne Grady Center and served as President of their Foundation, and Treasurer of the Friends of Anne Grady Center. Visitation will be from 2:00pm-9:00pm, Friday, November 19, 2010, at the Thomas I. Wisniewski Funeral Home, 2426 N. Reynolds Rd., 419-531-4424, and again one hour before funeral service. There will be a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am on Saturday, November 20, 2010, at St. Pius X Church, 3011 Carskaddon Ave., Toledo, OH. Memorials to Anne Grady Foundation, 1525 Eber Rd., Holland, OH 43528 or donor's choice. Interment will take place at the family lot in Ottawa Hills Memorial Park immediately following service.