Attorney Francis J. Grady

MIDDLEBURY - It is with profound sadness that the family of Attorney Francis J. Grady, of Middlebury, Connecticut, share the news of his passing on Sunday, July 20, 2025, following 80 years of a life full of service and accomplishments.

Born in the Cracker Hill section of Waterbury to John and Mary Anne (McGowan) Grady,Fran was educated at Saint Margaret Grammar School, Sacred Heart High School, the University of Connecticut, and Suffolk University School of Law. After an early career with Legal Aid Services, Fran founded the law firm destined to be Grady and Riley, LLP,a Waterbury institution for more than 50 years .A passionate and creative advocate for his clients, especially the underserved, Fran was a Justice of the Peace and admitted to multiple Connecticut and Federal Courts, including the United States Supreme Court. He was a legal scholar, a mentor to countless young attorneys, and was credited with creating “new law” on more than one occasion. He was a true counselor, using his experience, training, and empathy to guide clients through the rough patches in their personal and professional lives. Fran’s public service and volunteer efforts included being president of the Naugatuck Valley Development Corporation, where he was significantly involved with the environmental remediation of the former Scovill Manufacturing sites. He also served as President of the Middlebury Lions Club, the Sacred Heart High School Board, the UCONN Waterbury Advisory Board, and the Waterbury Bar Association.Fran was certainly multi-dimensional, a Renaissance man, and a Waterbury legend. He was an accomplished swimmer in the glory days of Sacred Heart swimming. A state record holder, his name was posted on the wall of the Waterbury YMCA pool for many years in many events. He supplemented his education costs by being a very competitive pool player, a welcomed patron of more than one downtown establishment in his younger days. He developed an affinity for horticulture early on and cared for beautiful gardens and plantings for decades. His interest in photography was a lifetime passion. His prints decorated many of the walls of family and friends.

Fran is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Judy A. (Morrissey) Grady. Their relationship started at Saint Margaret Grammar School and developed into an unparalleled partnership, creating a beautiful family, building the practice, and being an example of how to live a life of caring for so many. Fran is also survived by his daughter Tricia L. Bennett of Granby, his son Frank J. Grady (Julie) of Natick MA, grandchildren Ethan M. Bennett, Jaymes R. Grady, and Briar E. Grady, and great grandson Tyson R.Wisdom-Bennett. He also leaves his sisters, Maryanne V. Carpenter (Bill) of Watertown, Lucy L. Luce (Marc) of Durham, and Margaret E. Frigon (Ray) of Sebastian, Florida. He was predeceased by his brothers John J. Grady, William B. Grady, Thomas F. Grady, and Michael D. Grady.

Funeral services for Attorney Grady will be held on Friday, July 25, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. when a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Mid-South Catholic Parish, St John of the Cross Church All those planning to attend are kindly asked to meet directly at the church. Burial will follow in Lake Elise Cemetery, Middlebury. Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects and visit with the Grady family on Thursday, July 24, 2025from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Casey’s Eastside Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 1987 East Main Street, Waterbury CT 06705. To honor Francis’ memory and in lieu of flowers, donations to Waterbury ARC, 1929 East Main Street, Waterbury CT 06705, or Children’s Community School, 23 John Street, Waterbury, CT 06708 would be greatly appreciated by the family. Loving kindness is always welcome, and it only takes a moment to offer a message of condolence, words of comfort, or share a memory with the family and friends of someone important to you on the funeral home website at www.caseyfunerals.com . To send flowers or gifts of condolence, please visit the funeral home’s Sympathy Store.