Throughout his life, except when away at college, Mr. Grady lived within three miles of the university. He grew up in Olney and graduated from North Catholic High School in 1955 - one of 1,229 graduates in what the Guinness Book of World Records marked as the largest high school graduating class at the time. In 2006, North Catholic inducted Mr. Grady into its Hall of Fame.

Mr. Grady earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Notre Dame in 1959 on a Ford Foundation scholarship. He earned a master's in economics in 1974 from Temple University.

Mr. Grady began teaching at La Salle in 1960. He married Helen Kelley in 1963, and they raised five children.

Mr. Grady loved teaching at La Salle. He phoned each scholarship student at home to deliver the good news, never failed to call a student who tried to contact him, and lived close to the university so he could get there on snow days, his family said.

Mr. Grady became director of the honors program in 1969. "He was the heart and soul" of the program, said Michael J. McGinnis, president of the university. "He was mentor, adviser and friend to many of the brightest students."

Mr. Grady was a familiar figure on campus, walking at a brisk pace in a jeff cap for every season, French cuffs, and a dapper suit or sport coat.

"My father believed education was the way to advancement," John Grady Jr. said. "He said education was the best way to understand yourself."

An insatiable newspaper reader, Mr. Grady often clipped articles, dated and initialed them JSG, and mailed them to his children and grandchildren.

"Every summer we went to Long Beach Island," said daughter Kristine Derewicz. "He loved the way the bay smelled, and you could watch him begin to relax as we drove over the causeway."

Mr. Grady received the Lindback Award for distinguished teaching in 1972, and was moderator of the La Salle debate team, which won the 1966 state championship. In 2003, graduates of the honors program established a scholarship to honor Mr. Grady.

In addition to his wife, daughter and son, Mr. Grady is survived by another son, Brian; daughters Helene and Kelley; 14 grandchildren; a brother; and a sister.

Friends may call at 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Geitner-Givnish Funeral Home, Fifth Street and Chelten Avenue, and after 9 a.m. Friday at La Salle's De La Salle Chapel, 1900 W. Olney Ave., where a Funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham.

Memorial donations may be made to the John Grady Scholarship Fund in care of La Salle University, 1900 W. Olney Ave., Philadelphia 19141.