Thoughts and Reflections on the Life of John Grady
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Thoughts and Reflections on the life of John Grady
| Next 5 >> | I know I’m a bit late posting here, it has been a very busy summer. I was deeply saddened to hear the news of Professor Grady's passing. Mr. Grady was one of the kindest and most caring people I have ever met. He was an amazing man and wonderful director of the Honors Program. He made my La Salle experience more personal and valuable. He will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace Mr. Grady, you will be sincerely missed and My greatest condolences to the Grady family.
Julie Swann, Honors Program Student
Class of 2000
submitted: August 10, 2008, 11:09 pm |
| I don’t know how you can say goodbye to someone when you still hear the voice in the back of your head. Whether it was calling to get my attention from across campus, or simply a greeting as I walked into his office for our weekly meetings, Mr. Grady would boom the same thing: “Katie O.!” Somehow he found out my nickname in the first weeks of freshman year, and he never spoke my full last name after.
Mr. Grady shaped my college career in ways I can’t ever express fully. He believed in me at a time when I had no confidence in myself. I knew anything I told him I wished to accomplish would be repeated, every week, until graduation. When I shifted my focus to publishing and told him the magazine I wanted to work for, I found various clippings in my mailbox (all signed JSG, of course) about it. When that magazine went under, he made sure he knew my next move, and encouraged me every step of the way. He watched every piece I told him I worked on at the local news station. Honestly, how he had enough hours in the day is beyond me.
I’ll never forget the Honors Council in New Orleans where he teased me about my limited food choices. Or our meetings that were supposed to be a half-hour a week, but often left me late for class. The time when I was quite sick, and before I could even ask, he had contacted my teachers, my work study and sent me an email to check on my condition.
Thank you, Mr. Grady, for believing in me – in all of us – from when we were unsure freshman to, well…I’m sure you’re still looking out for us now. God bless your family, and I hope they know they have our love and support during this difficult time.
Katie O'Connor, Honors Program
Class of 2006
submitted: July 18, 2008, 10:06 pm |
| I was deeply saddened to hear the news. My life would have been very different had Mr. Grady not "taken a chance on me" and accepted me into the La Salle Honors Program Class of 2003. During my four years at La Salle, Mr. Grady became my mentor and one of my biggest advocates. There was never a problem he couldn't solve or a student he wouldn't give a second chance (although you learned quickly not to bother him during registration time!). Even in the last year, his positive attitude never wavered and Mr. Grady continued to put priority on his work and his students, never once mentioning his physical ailments. He loved La Salle - and it showed. He will be greatly missed - and his legacy at La Salle will never be forgotten. Thanks Mr. Grady. My thoughts and prayers to his family.
Kristen Hess, Honors Program
Class of 2003
submitted: July 18, 2008, 1:41 pm |
| This is very sad news. Mr. Grady was a tremendous teacher and leader of the Honors Program. He was always generous to students, full of enthusiasm for their plans and their future, while at the same time being kind, funny and full of life. He played a hugely important role in my life, as a teacher, mentor and friend. He will be greatly missed by the entire La Salle community. My condolences to his family.
Michael Boyle, Former Student
Class of 1998
submitted: July 18, 2008, 10:34 am |
| 1951-1955 - John Grady and I are High School Classmates- North Catholic - All Boys - and a Graduating Class of 1,250 - seemingly impossible to make a connection - yet John and I spent 3 yrs in the same class, same roster [Soph 7, Junior 4, Senior 1]. Even then, I sensed [and subsequently came to Know] the greatness of this Wondrous Soul-Spirit. As our individual lives unfold, John continues to Bless my Family... Donna Ruzicka [Farrell] ... Honors Program ... La Salle Grad '84, Frank Farrell ... Honors Program ... Incoming Freshman '08 ... March '08 - I become aware John is "physically hurting" and I email to inquire and send "Good Vibrations". The response is immediate and so very typical and revealing of John Grady....Immediate recognition of our North Catholic Experience [dating now over 50 yrs] [the reference to Soph 7, Junior 4, Senior 1 ... comes from John's reply] ... an acknowledgement of Donna, [now Dr. Donna R. Farrell D.O. [John Grady as well as Bro. James Muldoon a significant influence] ... and an "Enthusiasm" [God in Us] to Welcome Grandson Frank in August.. While ... NOTE ... the email reply makes NO comment on John Grady's physical health ... Typical of GREAT Souls ... "Most of Us" Spend a Lifetime as "a Soul/Spirit within a Humanity"... Some of Us [John Grady the living example] ... become the very Best We Can Be ... a "Humanity within a Soul/Spirit" ... that is a Lifetime of "There You Are" rather than "Here I Am": Mrs. Grady ... Helen ... Grady Family ... Thank You for this Wondrous Soul and sharing him with all of us. John [Jack] Grady ... Classmate ... Way to Go..Your Reward is Safe and Secure ... Pray for Us all ... I'll see you soon enough ... Jim
Jim Ruzicka, High School Classmate
submitted: July 18, 2008, 12:04 am |
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