Obituary: Grady Jensen, 100, Of Redding

Information and Photo Courtesy Bouton Funeral Home

REDDING, CT — Grady Jensen was born in Pittsburgh, PA on Nov. 8, 1922, the son of Claude Henry Jensen and Margaret Edmonds Jensen. He grew up in Pittsburgh, attending the Rogers Elementary School, Peabody High School, and the Arnold School, which in 1940 was merged with Shady Side Academy.

Mr. Jensen attended Hobart College from 1940 to 1943, when he entered service in the Navy as an Aviation Cadet. He was released to inactive duty in December 1945 after the end of World War II. In March 1946 he was commissioned an Ensign and designated a Naval Aviator.

Mr. Jensen attended the Wharton Graduate Division of the University of Pennsylvania, where he received a Master of Business Administration degree in 1949.

From 1950 to 1955 he was employed by Cresap, McCormick and Paget, management consultants, in New York City as a staff consultant. Subsequently, he held general management and human resources positions with American Broadcasting Company, New York University, Eastern Air Lines, Columbia University, Chase Manhattan Bank, and American Express Company. From 1986 to 1996 he was executive director of Senior Personnel Employment Council (SPEC) in White Plains, NY, a not-for-profit employment service for older workers.

In 1952 Mr. Jensen married Mary Margaret Wilber. They had three children and lived in Scarsdale for 46 years. During that time Mr. Jensen was active in civic and community affairs, including service as a Village Trustee, Fire Commissioner, Police Commissioner, and Mayor. He was also extensively involved in Hobart College activities, including a term as alumnus trustee, and quarterbacking the Class of 1944’s reunions many times. At the College’s commencement in 2004 Mr. Jensen was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

Mr. and Mrs. Jensen were parishioners at The Church of St. Joseph of Arimathea, Elmsford, NY for many years. Mr. Jensen was a vestryman, clerk of the vestry for 29 years, head usher for 25 years, and author of the centennial history of the parish in 1986.

Mr. and Mrs. Jensen moved from Scarsdale to the Meadow Ridge Senior Lifecare Community in Redding in 2003. Mrs. Jensen died in 2009. Mr. Jensen continued to live at Meadow Ridge until his death.

Mr. Jensen’s brother, Henry Grosvenor Jensen, died in 1999. Mr. Jensen is survived by his three children - Timothy, Eliza, and Caroline - and five grandchildren - Patrick, Adam, Lily, Michael, and Steven.