James “Jimmy” M. Grady, 63, of Leicester, passed away Thursday, November 4th at UMass Memorial Medical Center with his loving family by his side after a brief illness following a long and courageous battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
He is survived by his wife and partner of 24 years, Lisa Grady; his beloved daughter, Rose Grady; a stepdaughter, Paige Ann Jackson and her husband Derick of Palmer; a stepson, John Austin of North Brookfield; and three step-grandchildren, Nathanial Kaiser, Logan Clark and Scarlett Jackson. He is also survived by his beloved mother, Mary (McNamara) Grady of Charlton; a brother, Paul V. Grady and his partner Christine of Oxford; three sisters, Marie P. Grady of Agawam, Sheila M. Hass of Agawam and Kathleen A. Kelleher and her husband John of Charlton; and eight nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved father, Martin F. Grady; his brother, Kevin J. Grady, who passed away in February, and two sisters, Eileen Grady and Patricia Grady.
A standout athlete and student at St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury, Jimmy attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute on an academic and athletic scholarship before embarking on a career with the U.S. Postal Service. He retired as a regional distribution center supervisor in 2013 after 37 years of service. In recent years, he served as an escort to children with disabilities during their transportation to regional education centers.
Jimmy was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at St. John’s High School in 2015 in front of a large contingent of cheering, lifelong friends who had traveled to the event to honor him. His coaches recalled his on-field heroics as tight-end for the football team and catcher and co-captain of the baseball team that won the state championship in 1976. His efforts on the field earned him the Pioneer Award for Baseball.
“Jim was part of a group that had no ‘quit’ in them,” recalled coach Bob Bradley. “If he ever got injured, he would never tell a soul.” He had “that great incentive called desire,” recalled coach John Case. “He is a born leader.”
His love of sports was a lifelong passion. He was a fan of the New England Patriots and season ticket holder long before the Belichick-Brady dynasty. He reveled in daylong outings to Gillette Stadium with his friends, culminating with the thrill of watching his team win some of their many Superbowl victories from coveted seats.
Jimmy’s love of sports was second only to his love for family. In his younger years, he patiently helped his younger sisters hone their softball skills. He loved spending time with his father and brothers, especially at annual Father’s Day outings to Fenway Park to watch the Boston Red Sox. Later in life, he regularly visited his mother, bringing her fish dinners every Friday and baking her Irish brown bread with the recipe she handed down to him.
He was immensely proud of the character and educational accomplishments of his cherished daughter, Rose in her pursuit of a nursing career.
Kind and generous to a fault, Jimmy was always there for family and friends. The family wishes to thank the dedicated and compassionate doctors, nurses and all staff at the UMass 7 Intensive Care Unit for the care and assistance they provided to Jimmy as he valiantly battled illness toward the final finishing line.
His funeral is Monday, November 8th with a Mass at 11:00 a.m. in Our Lady of the Angels Church, 1222 Main Street, Worcester. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the start of his funeral Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the American Lung Association.