The wake for Father Dennis R. O’Grady will be 4-8 p.m. July 6 at Craciun Funeral Home, 14925 Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights. At the family’s request, there will be no vespers.
Bishop Martin Amos, retired bishop of Davenport, Iowa, will be the main celebrant at Father O’Grady’s 11 a.m. funeral Mass on July 7 in St. Joseph Church, 12700 Pearl Road, Strongsville. Father Bob Sanson will be the homilist.
Father O’Grady, 92, died on June 30.
He was born July 4, 1933 to the late Robert and Grayce (Recker) O’Grady. Father O’Grady was educated at Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Cleveland; Strongsville Middle School and Strongsville High School, Strongsville; St. Gregory Seminary, Cincinnati; Borromeo Seminary, Wickliffe; and Saint Mary Seminary, Cleveland.
He was ordained to the priesthood for service to the Diocese of Cleveland on May 20, 1961 by Bishop Floyd Begin.
Father O’Grady’s first assignment after ordination was as parochial vicar of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Akron. On June 9, 1966 he was transferred to St. Michael Parish in Cleveland to serve as parochial vicar. He began studies at the Mexican American Cultural Center in San Antonio, Texas on Sept. 22, 1975. On March 5, 1976, he formed the diocesan pastoral team for the Spanish-speaking community while living at St. Michael Parish.
He was appointed parochial vicar of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Cleveland on Oct. 28, 1977, with a specific ministry to the Spanish-speaking community. On June 24, 1980, he was appointed parochial vicar of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Cleveland and he continued Hispanic ministry in that area. On Nov. 5, 1980, Father O’Grady transferred his residence to St. Michael, Cleveland, with the duty to establish a Chapel of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament to serve the Hispanic community of Blessed Sacrament, Cleveland and St. Boniface.
On Dec. 19, 1980, he was appointed pastor of St. Michael Parish, Cleveland.
Father O’Grady was relieved of serving the Hispanics in the Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel on Sept. 4, 1981.
He retired on Jan. 5, 2003 and was named pastor emeritus of St. Michael Parish.
Father O’Grady spent his life ministering and caring for the Spanish-speaking community in the diocese. Those who knew him said he was committed to helping and welcoming especially those of immigrant status who were trying to find their way in a new environment. They said he was kind and creative and worked tirelessly to speak on behalf of those most in need and he would be remembered for his warmth, smile and sense of humor.
Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Brook Park.
