9/3/45- 5/21/26
With deep sorrow, we share the passing of Brother Tom Grady, a Franciscan Brother of Brooklyn and devoted supporter of the Franciscan Federation. He served as President of the Federation Board from 1990–91 and entered eternal life on May 21.
Well before holding office, Tom was one of the Franciscan leaders among our brothers who understood the importance and the benefits of working together as men and women with a unique religious heritage—that of the Third Order Regular. The Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn were participants in the earliest efforts at networking. First among the congregations of TOR men, there were important post-counciliar meetings giving rise to such wonderful renewal sources as the Madrid Statement. Then the emerging need to collaborate with Franciscan sisters as a projected new rule text was being studied in Europe.
When this project came to include Federation leaders, Tom lent his support to the total tapestry of work and cooperation. Most famous among his contributions was the invitation to the International Work Group to hold its meeting to plan the final international assembly in New York at the Oyster Bay Retreat House. This meeting not only provided a unique experience of life and work among the U.S. Franciscans, it created the first encounter for some of the members with brotherhoods following the TOR Rule. This put life into the phrase “the brothers and sisters” that recurs throughout the text. For some of the sisters, the brothers now had names and faces. It was an extraordinary encounter that brought a hidden history to life.
Another work to which Tom gave countless hours—along with Bernadette Sullivan of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor—was the creation of the Franciscan NGO at the United Nations. Having invested in many activities of social justice, these two leaders saw that a Franciscan presence at the UN was overdue and started the work of establishing this important office. Here the combination of geography (religious living in proximity to the UN headquarters) and charism consciousness (understanding the historic commitments of Third Order men and women to peace and justice) resulted in the office that we see today.
Tom’s unquestioning commitment to work with the women of the order and his fraternal spirit of inclusion and cohesive practice put a stamp on these major institutions that has lasted through the years. Through all of this work done at local, national and international levels, he never lost his amazing capacity to accomplish big tasks with seemingly effortless grace and steady follow-through. And, one would also learn that these major projects where balanced by the daily investment in living the brotherhood: painting a chapel or kitchen, managing a feast day celebration, conducting a chapter or assembly, creating a hospitable ambience wherever he lived. A wry Celtic humor and vivid imagination flashed when least expected. Whether mixing a cocktail or solving a theological conundrum, he was steady at the task. His serious demeanor simply masked a capacity for having fun in unforgettable moments lit by a story, a one-liner delivered with a straight face, a party planned to balance the constant stress of managing gargantuan tasks for church and world.
May we lift the “parting glass” in his memory and continue our common work as brothers and sisters to Francis, Clare and each other.
Obituary written by Sr. Margaret Carney, OFS
Tom’s goodness and commitment to the Franciscan way of life were inspiring and empowering. A true brother to all, no exceptions! A true gift to our family and our world!
Thank you, Margaret, for your obituary acknowledging the significant contributions of Tom Grady, Franciscan Brother and dear friend, to the Franciscan Federation and wider Franciscan family. Julianne, one contribution of Tom to the Federation is not included. In the 1980’s the Federation established a Peace and Justice Commission (Committee) which Tom chaired and on which I served in addition to Peter Lyons, TOR, and several other sisters. This committee developed a number of resources including the traveling program, “The World is Our Cloister.” Although I was not the chair, I received a letter from Elizabeth Cameron, FSPA, proposing a Franciscan presence at the United Nations. Our committee agreed, took it to the leadership of the Federation, who also agreed and commissioned Br. Tom Grady and Sr. Bernadette Sullivan to do the arduous work of creating Franciscans International with ECOSOC status at the UN. The Committee continues as does FI. The Spirit was at work and I am deeply grateful to have been part of the story and to honor the work of a wonderful Franciscan brother.