On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, our Lightning community, in particular our Classic Lightning community, lost one of our long-time members, Tim Grady, of Titusville, Florida.
From Bob Astrove:
I first met Tim maybe 15 to 18 years ago in Charleston, SC as he was contemplating building a new wooden Lightning. And build it he did.
Tim’s vision was to build a practical boat with modern rigging: set up to both daysail in a comfortable style as well as sail the occasional race. His #15477 was named Peregrine. It was a beautiful light blue boat with a Peregrine Falcon emblazoned on his spinnaker. Tim’s rigging diagrams are regularly shared with others as a guide to setting up a boat, and can be found at www.astrove.net/rigging/. Other sailors who take advantage of Tim’s work will help preserve the legacy of his contributions to our community as well as remind us of that endless ear to ear smile he always wore.
Tim’s boat is the most recent home build to have been granted an official measurement certificate by the Lightning Chief Measurer. Tim requested the Class Office, Roger Slade, and me to help to find a good home for his boat when he learned his health condition wasn’t going to allow him to use it any longer. The boat is now cared for by Kevin Gahagan and a member of the Keuka Lake Fleet in Finger Lakes region of New York.
Over the years I attended several regattas with Tim. He will be remembered as a wonderful friend, and quite a skilled craftsman. We met up in New York, Virginia, South Carolina and multiple locations in Florida. We will miss him badly.
2014 Deep South Wooden Boat Contingent - Tim Grady #15477 Left and Corky Gray #7592 Right.
From Laura Jeffers:
I am so grateful our paths crossed. Tim's passion for woodworking and creating things along with his love of the water and sailing made building a Lightning kismet. Tim didn't just build a boat; he built many friendships through that process. Some of my favorite memories include the first day I met Tim. He traveled to Tarpon Springs to look at 14777 so he could study the rigging to bring back to 15477. He and Will spent a couple hours in the boat, in the driveway taking photos, measurements and made many notes. Then we went for a Greek Lunch on the Sponge Docks. From that day on, when I would see Tim's name pop up on the phone or via an email it would make me smile. I recall his excitement on trailering his boat from FL to Keuka Lake in Hammondsport, NY for the Classic Boat Get Together. There he sailed with his son Bobby and granddaughter Ashleigh. He enjoyed sailing 15477 Peregrine on Lake Monroe in Sanford, FL and was active with the Lake Monroe Sailing Association. He was always eager to help at the Club. His small-scale Lightning Baby Cradle brought young Emmitt joy, and the custom Lightning Corn Hole boards provided hours and hours of fun for Lightning sailors. What I will remember most about Tim is his smile. He smiled a lot; he enjoyed life and those around him. Tim will be missed by many.
Tim with son Bobby and granddaughter Ashleigh in Keuka 2016 and then Tim Grady and crew at the 2014 Florida Districts, Lake Monroe.
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Tim Grady, 84, of Titusville, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
Born in Powell, Wyoming Tim spent just a short time there before his family relocated to Billings, Montana, where they lived for 10 years. The family later settled in San Francisco, where Tim graduated from George Washington High School. During his school years, he was known as a talented athlete and standout basketball player.
Following graduation, Tim answered the call to serve his country by joining the United States Navy, serving honorably for four years. He carried the discipline and dedication gained through military service into a lifelong pursuit of education and professional achievement.
Tim earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of Central Florida before continuing his studies and obtaining his Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin. He went on to build a successful career with Texas Instruments, where he worked as a technical trainer, sharing his knowledge and mentoring others throughout his profession.
Outside of work, Tim embraced life with curiosity, skill, and enthusiasm. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, and sailing, with a particular passion for craftsmanship. He proudly built his own sailboat by hand, dedicating countless hours to woodworking and perfecting every detail. Tim was also an avid baseball fan who loyally supported the home teams of whichever community he lived in over the years. Some of his families’ most treasured memories were family nights spent taking his children to baseball games.
Tim was preceded in death by his siblings, Sharon and Mike.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife of 24 years, Patricia Grady; his sister, Carol; his children, Chuck, Ken, Monica, and Bobby; and seven beloved grandchildren, all of whom will remember his intelligence, steady presence, humor, and deep devotion to family.
In keeping with Tim’s wishes, no services will be held.
May his memory bring comfort to those who knew and loved him.
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Tim was talented at documenting his projects. See Astrove's link above with rigging diagrams. Read the article on building Lightning #15477 on page 46 in the Flashes 2013 Winter Issue or the creation of the small-scale Lightning Baby Cradle on page 40 in Flashes 2015 Winter Issue or his article on Weighing a boat by Tim Grady