Marvin O. Grady

Marvin O. Grady was a lawyer who never practiced law. Instead, he spent much of his professional life in a completely different business — mortgage banking.

Mr. Grady was president of Universal Mortgage, and as such helped develop Wisconsin’s veterans home lending program, his daughter Laurie Grady said.

“He really knew the mortgage banking business well,” she said. “He was very successful.”

Mr. Grady, who lived in Wauwatosa, died Wednesday, Feb. 14, at Lawlis Family Hospice in Mequon. He was 92.

Mr. Grady was born in Port Washington on Aug. 29, 1925, the son of Albert and Ethel Blessing Grady.    

He attended U.S. Naval Officer School in 1943, and was discharged as an ensign in 1946.

Mr. Grady earned his undergraduate degree at Lawrence University in Appleton, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi and the football team and where he met Mary Strain.

The couple married in River Forest, Ill., on Sept. 9, 1950.

He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Law, graduating in 1954.

Mr. Grady worked for a time as a tour director, traveling the world and figuring out what he wanted to do with his life, his daughter said.

He started his career as a buyer for A&P Foods, then moved on to Percy Mortgage Co. before becoming co-owner and president of Universal Mortgage.

He retired in 1996.

Mr. Grady enjoyed playing golf, his daughter said, and was a member of Tripoli Country Club in Milwaukee.

“He liked sports, and he liked participating in sports and watching his kids participate in sports,” his daughter said. “He spent a lot of time working, but he was also very family oriented.

“He was a very inquisitive man,” she added, noting it was a good ice breaker when meeting new people.

Mr. Grady is survived by his daughters Laurie (Monica) Grady of Minneapolis and Patricia Grady Bruce of St. Marys, Ohio; sons David and Michael, both of Milwaukee; grandchildren Leslie (Ben) Bruce Bassin, Kenny Bruce and Abbey and Emma Grady; four great-grandchildren; and his companion Marilyn Malloy of Wauwatosa.

He is further survived by his brother Warren (Phyllis) Grady of Baraboo.

In addition to his wife, who died in 1996, Mr. Grady was preceded in death by his parents Ethel and Albert; brothers Gerald,  Stuart and Albert; sisters Vivian Albertson and Bev Finholt; sister-in-law Teddie Grady; and brothers-in-law Roy Albertson and Jim Finholt.

A celebration of Mr. Grady’s life will be held this summer.

kris--grady obit