Thomas L. Grady

NATICK, Mass. -- Thomas Lonergan Grady, 92, died peacefully in the loving care and comfort of his family and dear friends at his residence in Natick on Jan. 8, 2011.

He was born in Boston on June 11, 1918, to Attorney Frederic J. Grady and Eleanor C. (O'Brion) Grady.

He was a resident of Natick for over 62 years and spent his formative years in East Derry.

He was a wonderful and accomplished artist and graduated from the Vesper George School of Art in Boston. He also studied illustration under Harvey Dunn in New York City and met Norman Rockwell. He was a gentleman and a scholar with a great sense of humor.

He served during World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the China-Burma-India Theatre as a Tail Gunner in a B-24. He survived 48 missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was a member of the American Legion China Post No. 1 operating in exile.

He worked as a technical illustrator for the National Radio Company in Malden and for Honeywell Inc. in Waltham for many years until he retired at age 70.

IN HIS LIFE: He was a longtime communicant of St. Zepherins Parish in Cochituate and served as an usher for many years. Tom enjoyed his cottage in Maine with his family and friends, loved painting water colors and swimming. His biggest joy was being surrounded by his family and friends. He enjoyed Thanksgiving, Christmas and Father's Day at his son Kevin's home and also rooting for the Pats and Red Sox. He attended a weekly portrait drawing class until the age of 89 and also enjoyed his weekly coffee with the guys. Family and friends looked forward to his annual pen and ink Christmas cards. Tom was a beautiful father, is greatly loved and will be fondly missed by all who knew him and the lives that he touched.

Tom was the beloved husband of Mary E. (Leahy) Grady, who died in November of 1972, and loving father of Thomas P. Grady, who died in July of 1977.

He was the devoted father of Kevin W. Grady and his wife, Barbara, of Auburn, Anne R. Grady and Elizabeth E. Grady, both of Natick; cherished grandfather of Tracey Grady and her husband, Vaughn Collins, of Seattle, Thomas V. Grady and his wife, Susan, of Worcester and Julie Grady and her fiancé, Patrick Thomas, of Wales; the proud great-grandfather of Isabella, Tommy, Christopher, Justin and Dylan. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Helen Garrison, Fred Grady, Paul Grady, Robert Grady, Ruth Wheeler and Betty Stone.

SERVICES: Visitations will be Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Bryant Memorial Chapel of the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Road, (off Route 30), Cochituate, MA.

Family and friends may gather at the funeral home Friday at 8 a.m., followed by his Mass of Christian burial at 9 a.m. at the Parish of the Good Shepherd at St. Zepherins Church, 99 Main St. (Route 27), Cochituate, MA.

Interment will be in the Grady family lot in Holy Cross Cemetery in Derry, N.H.

Memorial donations may be sent to Metrowest Hospice, 85 Lincoln St., Framingham, MA 01702. For online condolences and directions, visit www.johncbryantfuneralhome.com.