Michael Joseph O'Grady, Jr.

Michael Joseph O’Grady Jr. was born February 28,1932 in New Bedford, MA, to Irish immigrant parents Michael Joseph O’Grady of Murrisk, County Mayo and Brigid Rita Dolan O’Grady of Glenagoshleen, County Mayo. His father, Michael Sr. was the Superintendent/Greenskeeper of New Bedford Country Club. Young Michael grew up helping and learning from his father all about golf and developed a passion for the sport. He would eventually go on to play in the 1983 Texas ProAM tournament partnered with Bobby Clampett. His father, Michael Sr., worked hard to put his five children through Catholic school and Michael Jr graduated from Monsignor Coyle High School. Immediately after graduation, and at the age of seventeen, Michael enlisted in The United States Navy. While stationed in Texas at Cabaniss Field in Corpus Christi, he met the love of his life, Bernadette Marie Gold, and married her on July 3, 1952. In their seventy plus years together, they welcomed six children, eight grandchildren and one great grandson.

Mike used his GI Bill to complete his undergraduate degree in Physical Education and earned his Masters degree in Administrative Education from Texas A&I where he played college football. Mike got into coaching shortly after graduation and soon became Principal and Head Coach at Nueces Canyon High School where he led his six-man football team to win the State title. Due to heart issues that revolved around the stresses of coaching, Mike’s doctors urged him to change careers. He turned to the insurance business and was a successful agent and claims supervisor at USAA. He was asked to lead USAA’s Training Department due to his teaching and leadership experience. He eventually transferred to Auto Injury Claims for the Mid-Atlantic Region and was a supervisor for nearly 20 years. His love for coaching led him to his favorite past time of officiating ALL sports. In this secondary career as a referee Mike traveled to every corner of his adopted state of Texas. He even bartered for the opportunity and traveled great lengths to officiate his nieces and nephew’s athletic events. When he wasn’t working or officiating, which he never looked upon as working, he was sharing his Irish spirit and culture with his beloved friends. He was a charter member of The Ancient Order of Hibernians of San Antonio and was very involved in The Harp and Shamrock Society of Texas. Not a St. Patrick’s Day went by that he and his lovely bride, Bernadette, did not volunteer in some way to help promote and honor his proud ancestry. He was very involved for nearly 50 years with his beloved parish, St. Pius X. There, he was a member of The Knights of Columbus and deeply enjoyed their brotherhood. Michael was a member of The Veterans of Foreign Wars and The American Legion. He also was a member of the Southwest Football Officials Association, Southwest Basketball Officials Association, Southwest Baseball Umpires Association as well as a member of a multitude of various sports clubs. He is preceded in death by his two sons, Michael Joseph O’Grady lll and Timothy Patrick O’Grady and his brothers John, Robert and Brian [Fr. Columkille] and sister Patricia. He is survived by his wife Bernadette, daughter Patricia Heath [husband Lin], daughter Maureen Bullock [husband Brent], daughter Kathleen Chaney [husband Tom] and son Kevin O’Grady [wife Jane]. Grandchildren Sarah Heath [husband Mike Bartlett], Justin Heath [wife Madelin], John Heath, Cassandra O’Grady, Lea O’Grady, Caroline O’Grady, Madeleine Chaney, Gabrielle Chaney and great grandson Brock Bartlett.

Porter Loring Mortuary North will host a Holy Rosary Service on March 9th at 6:30pm with a gathering hour beginning at 5:30.His Funeral Mass will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church on March 10th at 10:00am with an interment immediately following at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.