Richard D. McGrade, Sr., 70, of Clearwater, Florida, passed away at Morton Plant Hospital on Tuesday, August 20, 2019. He was born in Lowell, Massachusetts in 1948 and was the son of the late Harold McGrade Sr. and Doris (Cliff) McGrade.
Richard was a Vietnam Veteran and served his country for in the United States Army and in later years he was awarded a 100% Service Connected Disability from issues arising from his service time in Vietnam . He made a career as a Mailman in the United States Postal Service. On April 27, 1968, he married Linda Dunnigan at the St. Louis Church in Lowell and together they shared 51 years of marriage.
He enjoyed many things in his life including boating, fishing and going to the beach. He also adored spending time with his wife and children on family trips. Richard was well known around the family for his famous whale back rides in the pool or his flying Superman’s and on Father’s Day there was always bowling. He liked to play darts, drink a cold Budweiser and to talk about his favorite teams, the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox.
Richard was a member of Saint Cecelia Catholic Church in Clearwater and he was also a volunteer with the Clearwater Police Department. His proudest achievements were his 51 years of marriage, the birth of his three beautiful children, serving his country and walking his daughter Allyson done the aisle and dancing with her on her wedding day.
His way was to always make people laugh with one of his funny jokes or hilariously funny pranks, he was a joker. The famous loud duck quack he would scare you with or using the kitchen window sink hose to soak you when you walked by. He loved helping Linda get ready for all the holidays; but, his favorite holiday was Halloween the most!! The main reason was being able to dress up in his Frankenstein costume and scare the daylights out of every kid and adult in the neighborhood over the years.
He was preceded in death by his older brother, Harold “Snapper” McGrade, Jr. He is survived by his wife. Linda; sons, Rick and Parrish; daughter, Allyson McGrade- McCandless and her husband, Jason; brothers, Tommy and Kevin; sister, Katie McGrade; and many nephews, nieces and cousins.
A public viewing will be held at 6:00PM on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at Veterans Funeral Care which is located at 15381 Roosevelt Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33760. A Memorial Service with Military Honors will be conducted at 1:30pm on Thursday, September 5, 2019, at Sarasota National Cemetery located at 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL 34241. Go south on Interstate 75, take Exit 204 and then turn left so you are going East. The cemetery will be on your right approximately 4.66 miles from Interstate 75.
Thank you to all of our family and friends for all your unconditional love, support and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. God bless to you all with grateful hearts. The McGrade family, Linda, Rick, Allyson and Parrish.
Dad,
The pain of losing you is immeasurable..
As you close your eyes and rest, may all your pain and troubles be lost forever… May you find paradise and eternal life….May your soul rest peacefully..
I love Dad always and forever….and I will miss you everyday….until we are together again… I will have you alway wrapped around a piece of my missing heart with so many beautiful memories..
I know the biggest star in the sky that is shining the most is you… watching over us..
Love your daughter~ Allyson xo xo
We wish to send our sincere condolence’s to all the family, so sorry
to hear of Dickie’s passing.
Skip and Joan McGrade
Juno Beach Florida
We are sorry to hear of Dickie’s passing. Our deepest condolences.
So sorry for your loss Dick was a great man he will be missed.
To all of the McGrade family- our hearts are broken for you all. Dick was a unique and terrific guy!! We both will miss him and his sense of humor and wit tremendously. We pray for your hearts to mend and your sense of loss be lessened over time. He will never be forgotten. We have such fond memories of the times we spent with him. xox Love to you all. Betsy and Pete
I really didn’t know Dick, but I know his daughter and the rest of the family will miss him very much. He will be looking after all of you. My prayers are with all of you.
I am so sorry to hear that dick has passed away he was my cousin who I lost touch with over the years and we reconnected thru FB about 4 years ago I just found out today and I’m so sorry for your loss I always looked forward to dicks posts on FB he always told it like it was and I don’t think I ever disagreed with any of dicks post
He made me laugh all the time and I am going to miss him
Again I am so sorry and I’ll keep you and you’re family in my prayers
Dear family and friends of Dick McGrade,
I offer my sincere condolences on the passing of your husband, father and friend.
I served in the Army with Dick. He was my replacement at 3rd Field Hospital, near Saigon, South Vietnam. Dick arrived a few months early in January 1969, I left in May 1969. We shared a desk, just as I had shared the same desk with the man I replaced a year earlier. We were volunteer Enlisted Chaplain Assistants, trained and sent to Vietnam to assist and protect Army Chaplains. Eight Army Chaplains and several Army Assistants died in Vietnam. Serving in a Army Field Hospital we also became untrained assistants in various medical trauma treatment and care activities as casualties arrived at our hospital triage area. As the only hospital enlisted men who routinely carried weapons and were licensed to drive military vehicles (Jeeps, trucks and Staff Cars), we transported and protected other hospital personnel (Doctors, Nurses, Medics, etc) in and around metropolitan Saigon. We were also nighttime Duty Drivers and lived within the hospital compound. Dick arrived a few days before Father (CPT) Corrigan left and Father(MAJ) Luke Sullivan arrived. All of us visited and supported St. Elizabeth’s Orphanage in Gia Dinh village. Later (May 15, 1969) Dick and Father Sullivan were principal participants in the “Baby Kathleen” story. (See: http://www.wtfman.com/kathleen.htm).
I searched for Dick extensively for our 2011 3rd Field Hospital Reunion in Chicago. Just looking all over the Boston area – I hadn’t known that he seems to have lived in Florida for many years. Many years ago I happened to see and speak with Dick at a ball game at Fenway Park, probably about 1972. I would attend the funeral in Florida except that I have a appointment that day, and a approaching hurricane. I have several photos of Dick at 3rd Field Hospital and the Reunion Program which I would be honored to send to you.
Dick was a good soldier and a pleasure to know. He kept us laughing, even though there was often little to laugh about (heat, humidity and casualties).
Sincerely,
Edward J. Russell
Springfield, PA
(ejr545@outlook.com)
I am so sorry for the loss of your dad and husband. Sick had a heart of gold. He will be surely missed.
I am so sorry for the loss of your dad and husband.Dick had a heart of gold. He will be surely missed.
I am so sorry for your loss. He was such a nice funny man all the times I saw him.
Please know I am always here for u. Let me know if you need anything. I will be thinking about you and your family.
Col
So sorry to hear of Dick’s passing. He was a great neighbor, always helping out when he could. We have so often thought of all of you over the years. Love to you all.