John Joseph Grady, 87

NEW CASTLE - John Joseph Grady of New Castle, formerly of Townsend, passed away after a short illness Thursday, June 28, 2007, in Christiana Care-Christiana Hospital, Newark. He was 87.

Mr. Grady was born Nov. 27, 1919, in New Castle, son of the late Mary (Krel) and William Grady.

He resided in New York most of his life. He worked at the Empire State Building in the security department and as a doorman in various wealthy Manhattan high-rises, where he regularly came into contact with celebrities and movie stars and had the honor of meeting six U.S. presidents. Following his retirement in 1979, he moved back to Delaware.

He was an avid sports fan and was a Golden Gloves boxer in New York City.

Mr. Grady was a member of Local 32-B of the Building Services Union, AFL-CIO, in New York City.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Eileen Grady, in 1964; his second wife, Velma "Jessie" Grady, in 1991; a son, Gregory Toth, in 1990; and a brother, Charles A. Grady, in 2004.

He is survived by his companion of 12 years, Audrey Deyarmin; two daughters and a son-in-law, Melissa E. Grady of Georgetown and Lorraine and Barry Stricklin of South Carolina; a son and a daughter-in-law, William Patrick Grady and Linda Grady of Swartz Creek, Mich.; three stepsons and two stepdaughters-in-law, Mark and Hara Prickett of Wilmington, Jeffrey and Linda Prickett of Townsend, and Vincent Prickett of Wilmington; an additional daughter-in-law, Olga "Cookie" Toth of Florida; a brother, William Francis Grady of South Carolina; a sister, Ann Houtman of Wilmington; 10 grandchildren, Alan Stricklin, Carly Grady, Sara Branham, Daniel Grady, Paul Grady, Heather Prickett, Jason Prickett, Thomas Toth, Craig Toth and Chad Toth; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Services will be 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in Daniels and Hutchison Funeral Home L.L.C., 212 N. Broad St., Middletown, where friends may call two hours earlier.

Burial will be in Townsend Cemetery.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Stockley Center, 26351 Patriots Way, Georgetown, DE 19947.

Letters of condolence may be sent and guest book signed at www.daniels-hutchison.com.