Obituary of Benjamin Grado

Benjamin A. Grado, 91, of Freehold passed away at home surrounded by his family on Sunday, August 4, 2013. Benjamin was born in Manhattan, raised and had lived in Brooklyn before moving to Freehold in 1991. He was the owner and operator of Braggi, Inc., Brooklyn before retiring in 1990. Benjamin served in the US Army during World War II. He was predeceased by two brothers, Anthony and Marco Grado and a son-in-law, Frank De Blasi. Benjamin is survived by his wife of 70 years, Tessie Grado of Freehold; four daughters, MaryAnn De Blasi of Oakdale, NY, Theresa Bannon and her husband, James of Old Bridge, JoAnn Johnson and her husband, Edmund of Monroe Twp., and Nicoletta Shields and her husband, Robert of Seneca Falls, NY; eight grandchildren; nine and a half great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Wednesday, August 7, 2013 7:00 to 9:00 PM and Thursday, August 8, 2013 from 2:00 to 4:00 & 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Relatives and friends may gather at the funeral home on Friday, August 9, 2013 at 9:00 AM for the procession to St. Rose of Lima Catholic Chapel, 16 McLean Street, Freehold for his 10:00 AM Funeral Mass . Interment to follow in Brigadier General William C. Doyle New Jersey Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 350 Provinceline Road, Arneytown. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com