Robert Grady

GORHAM — Robert “Pat” Grady, 94, died peacefully at his home in Gorham, on Friday, March 10, 2017.

He was born in Minneapolis, Minn. on May 16, 1922, to Edmund and Martha (Novak) Grady.

Always known as Pat, he moved with his parents and three sisters to Los Angeles, Calif. He was drafted into the Army at the age of 20, and after a stint that included an experimental education program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology he returned to Los Angeles. He completed a bachelor’s degree at Loyola and earned a master’s degree in Bacteriology at USC.

Pat married Rubye C. Webb in 1948 and they settled in Southern California to raise their five children. He worked as a chemist for the State Health Department. He held a similar position for the state of New Mexico after a move to Albuquerque. The family moved to Gorham in 1968, where Pat served first as a chemist, and then director of Water Quality for the Portland Water District. He was dedicated to improving and maintaining the purity of the water supply from Sebago Lake, and in 1986, he won the Friendship Medal from the Institution of Water Engineers for his paper on this effort.

Pat was an active member of St. Anne’s Church in Gorham. As a child, he had polio and as a survivor he was an enthusiastic supporter of the Post-Polio Community. He was an avid gardener and an accomplished woodworker. His home was filled with his own creations, that often had been decorated by his wife, Rubye. He and Rubye were inveterate travelers, both domestically and abroad.

Pat was predeceased by his wife Rubye of 62 years; and by his three sisters, Mary, Eileen, and Rita.

He is survived by his children, Michael Grady of Albuquerque, James Grady of Gorham, Patricia Zline of Laurel, Md., Brian Grady of Sebago, and Mary Kate Flaherty, of Westbrook; five grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

A memorial service will be held in the spring. Arrangements are under the care of Dolby Funeral Chapel, Gorham.

Please visit www.dolbyfuneralchapels.com for additional information and to sign Pat’s online guest book.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pat’s memory to: Gorham Food Pantry, P.O. Box 547, Gorham, ME 04038.