Jerome L. O'Grady, 87, of Latham, N.Y., passed away on February 27, 2024.
Jerry was born in Batavia, N.Y. in 1936 the youngest child of Patrick and Brigid O'Grady, Irish immigrants who settled in Western New York and raised their seven children.
He attended Notre Dame High School with his best friend Frank before studying History at John Carroll University in Ohio. After college, he began a thirty-year career with the New York State Police where he rose to the rank of Colonel before retiring as Deputy Superintendent. While with the State Police he completed his master's degree and graduated from the FBI National Academy. He was also proud to serve as the "Officer in Charge" of the Olympic Village during the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid.
In 1965, he wed Mary Leonard and began a 59 year long marriage.
Together they raised four daughters and a son in their loving home.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Rita and Margaret; and his brothers, Vincent, Thomas, Jack, and James. He is survived by his wife, Mary; and children, Anne-Marie O'Grady, Kathleen O'Grady, Nancy (Kevin) Koller, Jeanne (David) Goldschmidt, and Patrick (Kate) O'Grady. Plus his spoiled grandchildren, Jeffrey, Molly, Sean, Charlie, Jane, Brigid, Claire and Grady. Along with dozens of nieces and nephews, and countless friends and co-workers.
Jerry was a devout Catholic and almost equally devoted to the New York Yankees and the Notre Dame Fightin' Irish. He will be deeply missed.
Friends are invited to visit with Jerry's family on Sunday, March 3, 2024, from 4 until 8 p.m. at the Bowen & Parker Brothers Funeral Home, 97 Old Loudon Road, Latham.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated by the Reverend Geoffrey D. Burke on Monday, March 4, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 498 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham. The Rite of Committal and interment will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Latham.
To remember Jerry in a special way, his family suggests donations to the New York State Trooper Foundation https://nystf.org/donate.html Please visit www.bowenandparkerbros.com to leave a message of condolence and for driving directions.
