OSTERVILLE – Joseph Patrick McGrady, 82, of Osterville and formerly of Westborough died peacefully at his home with family by his side on April 9, 2017.
Joe is survived by his beautiful wife of 58 years Joanellen (Gill), his daughter Linda Kaye and her husband Dale and their two children Lauren and Erin, his daughter Kathy Nelson and her fiancé Henry Williams, his son Joseph Jr. and his wife Maria and their children Joseph III, Madison, Mollie, Grace and Michael, and his son Jim and his wife Kathleen and their children Kathleen, Elizabeth and James. Joe is also survived by his sister Patricia McConnell and her husband Phil and his sister Joan Jacoby as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended relatives and friends.
Joe was born on July 27, 1934 in Boston to Joseph and Pearl McGrady. He grew up on Willow Street in West Roxbury. Joe attended Bordentown Military Academy in New Jersey and graduated from Roslindale High School. He continued his education with a degree from Boston University. Joe eventually settled in Westborough to raise his family and enjoyed summers on the Cape in Hyannis. In his retirement years Joe resided in the beautiful village of Osterville.
Throughout his 82 years with us Joe was blessed with many successes, but first and foremost he strived to be the best husband, father, brother, Uncle, and cousin he could be. His unparalled success in the Military and business speak for themselves but Joe was always there for his family. From continual advice and guidance to never saying no to a family member in need, he made life better and easier for all those that he loved and loved him. Summers on Cape Cod were where the McGradys made great memories and Joe was always in charge of the fun. Whether it was day trips to Martha’s Vineyard, fishing off Horseshoe Shoal, waterskiing on Lake Wequaquet or 4th of July Fireworks at Kalmus Beach, Joe made a lifetime of memories for his extended family always opening his home to all. He especially loved his grandchildren and it showed. In his later years, Joe devoted his life to taking care of his wife Joan after her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. His love and dedication to the care of his wife up until his passing was stronger than any love could be.
Joe served his country with honor for 41 years. He is in a very small fraternity of military members to have gone through every enlisted rank and then become a commissioned officer. The only rank Joe did not wear was that of 2nd Lieutenant as he received a direct commission to 1st Lieutenant. He always let everyone know he never wore the “butter bars”. Joe worked his way up through the officer ranks achieving the rank of Colonel (0-6) and finished his career in the 102nd Fighter Wing as Deputy Commander for Maintenance in charge of all personnel and operations to keep the mighty F-15 Eagle flying strong. He was so very well respected in the 102nd as a leader by his troops and would do anything for them. A true patriot, citizen soldier and defender of our nation.
In the business world, Joe was a successful entrepreneur. He took his experience fixing aircraft and his affinity for cars and groomed that into a highly respected group of Transmission Repair Shops. From his first business in Malden to his final shop in Hyannis, Joe owned and operated 7 different establishments that employed hundreds of people over the years. He never slowed down and had an amazing will and drive all in an effort to provide for his family and improve the lives of his employees. Upon retirement, Joe began buying land and building custom homes. He formed Jaymac Construction and built many beautiful properties on Cape Cod. He embraced the challenge of being a general contractor and enjoyed all of the amazing people in the construction field he dealt with on a daily basis.
Joe McGrady’s strength, wisdom and guidance to all of his family will be so very missed. His spirit will live on in all who he touched throughout his life. We will miss him so much.
Visiting hours will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Monday, April 17, 2017 at John-Lawrence Funeral Home, 3778 Falmouth Rd. (Route 28), Marstons Mills. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 18th at Our Lady of Victory Church, 230 South Main St, Centerville, followed by burial at Massachusetts National Cemetery. For on-line guest book and directions, please visit www.johnlawrencefuneralhome.com
