Remembering family and friends

A roundup of notices and services. Look for additional obituaries on this newspaper’s website.

John Grady, 88, formally from Niskayuna, NY died on August 18, at Saratoga Hospital, after a long illness. John was born in Ossning, NY. He was the son of Maurice and Katherine Grady. John’s wife Sondra, died in 2013. He is predeceased by his brother, Morris Grady and Mary Kolbe. He is survived by his son John Christopher Grady of Saratoga Springs. A niece Lynn Volgel of West Palm Beach, FL. A sister Elaine Clavin, of Albany and Patricia Herlihy of Brick, New Jersey. Also, several nieces and nephews. John was a native of New Rochelle, NY and moved to Schenectady in 1948. He graduated from Siena College in 1953. He served in the Army from 1954 to 57. He met the love of his life, Sondra Briggs and they were married in 1959. John Christopher followed in 1961. John attended stock car races at Menands Speedway and started taking pictures there. He instantly fell in love with auto racing. He became the track photographer at Utica- Rome Speedway in 1961. John started his teaching career at Hillside Elementary, in Niskayuna in 1963. He taught 3rd and 5th grade and retired in 1987. In 1965, he became track photographer at the brand new, Albany- Saratoga Speedway, in Malta NY. His wife and son, also operated the photo/ souvenir stand. John commented later in life, that those thirteen years, were some of his happiest. John also took pictures at Fonda Speedway and was a track photographer at Lebanon Valley Speedway. He took approximately 50,000 images and sold many photos at the several tracks. Many race fans started collecting Grady photos. He had a great personality. He told many racing stories and made people laugh at his jokes. John also wrote a column in the Schenectady Gazette for ten years called “Stock Cars” His son and family friend, Bob Novak, continue displaying and selling photos at race tracks and shows. John always wanted his photos “out there”. Social media is where a lot of photos are found, along with the NASCAR Hall of Fame. John was a Hall of Fame member of the New York State Stock Car Association. Special thanks to Andrea Johnson, for her support and assistance with John. Outside of his wife Sondra, Andrea was the only woman he would listen to. A special thanks to the staff and ownership at the Blue Ribbon Restaurant, in Schenectady, NY. It was John’s favorite place There will be no services. A memorial race for John will take place next race season, at Albany- Saratoga Speedway. Contributions can be made to the Dementiasociety. org. A member of Alcoholics Anonymous for 70 years, John had a prayer he often quoted, the Serenity Prayer. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference” One day at a time.