Lieutenant Colonel Martin J. O’Grady, USA (Ret), Korea DMZ Veteran, passed away peacefully at his home on January 6, 2025. Grateful son of Francis M. (SGT, CPD, CPT, MPC, WWII (Dec) and Catherine N. (nee Hayes, (Dec); loving husband (55 years) of Carol (nee Evert); devoted father of Catherine (Craig) Gengler, Colleen (Jay) Goethal, COL Martin J., Jr., USAF, Ret (LT COL Amber D., USAF, Ret) O’Grady, Brian (Susan) O’Grady, Timothy (Jennifer) O’Grady, Maureen (Daniel) Fahey; proud and beloved grandfather of Ryan and Ross Gengler; Brendan, Kyle, and Kathleen Goethal; Martin J. III, Lauren, Caitlin, and Shannon O’Grady; Michael, McKenna, and Kevin O’Grady; Quinn, Brooke, and Daniel O’Grady; Matthew and Moira Fahey; brother of Michael P. (LT, CPD, Ret, (Deceased) (Mary Beth, (Dec) Francis M., Jr. (PO, CPD, (Dec), Mary Catherine (Ronald) Romba; Patricia Anne (James Murphy, DET, CPD, (Dec); affectionate uncle of numerous nieces and nephews. Martin was a proud product of Chicago Catholic education having graduated from St. Francis Borgia Grade School, Notre Dame College Prep (Niles), and Loyola University Chicago (BS ‘64, Med ‘69). He was also a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Air War College, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and numerous infantry, military police, civil affairs, and military intelligence courses and programs. His active and reserve military career included command and staff assignments from company through division levels. He was an adjunct faculty member of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. Concurrent with his reserve military career, Martin served in the Chicago insurance industry for thirty-seven years in line and management assignments. He earned the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation and nine other professional designations from the American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters and the Insurance Institute of America. He authored training materials for the CPCU Management Course and was also a faculty member of the Insurance School of Chicago where he achieved Outstanding Instructor status. Martin was a member of the Knights of Columbus (North American Martyrs Council), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW- Skokie Valley and Niles, IL Posts), American Legion (Delavan, WI Post), AMVETS (Chicago Police Post), Second Infantry (Indianhead) Division Association, and the alumni associations of the schools and university from which he graduated. Martin’s life revolved around service to God, family, and country. His happiest moments were those shared with his wife, family and friends, especially on the shores and surface of Delavan Lake. Martin was a water sports enthusiast whose children and grandchildren inherited his love of the water and the outdoors. He and Carol immensely enjoyed the company of their children and grandchildren and watching them participate in competitive athletic events. Martin had an inquisitive mind and was a life-long learner who ardently supported and advocated for education, especially Catholic schools. In all, Martin’s life reflected the O’Grady Family motto, “vulneratus non victus” (wounded not conquered) …meet life’s challenges head-on; adapt to changing circumstances; overcome…move forward and succeed.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 13, 2025 at 10:30 AM at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 714 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan, WI 53115. Visitation will be held from 9:30 AM until the time of service on Monday at the church. The interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, IL at 2:00 P.M. MONROE FUNERAL HOME in Delavan is assisting the family. Please visit us at delavanfuneralhome.com
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