Obituary of Patrick J. Grisdale

August 2, 1935 - April 9, 2020 Dr. Patrick Joseph Grisdale made his last remark and gave his trademark mischievous smirk over Facetime. A technology he had no idea how to use, despite being a brilliant biochemist and writing his first and only computer program in the '80s. He couldn't type, so he didn't find programming useful. Paddy, as he was known to everyone, was born to the late Joseph and Mary Grisdale on August 2, 1935, in London, England. Raised during the war, Paddy spent his formative years shaped by a sharp, inquisitive mind and a childhood curiosity in chemistry that allowed him to get into all kinds of trouble, especially trying to make things that go boom. His parents and sister were never sure what was more dangerous, the boom from inside the house, or the ones coming from outside. Paddy earned his undergraduate and doctorate degrees in Chemistry at the University of London, then jumped the pond to complete his post-doctorate work at the University of Chicago. There he met the love of his life, Clare, whom he initially thought was a nun as a friend wanted to introduce him to two British "sisters" who were nurses. Fortunately for us, he agreed to a meeting with them, only to discover that they were actually "two sisters" from England. He fell in love with Clare, went back to England to marry, then moved to Rochester, New York to begin a research career at Kodak and retiring as the Director of the Biosciences Division. Along the way, he brought into the world three children whom he adored and taught the value of family above all else. Paddy believed that everything in life could be answered by chemistry. Why buy a $19.99 bottle of shampoo when a $3.99 is chemically equivalent? But his passion was not only tied to chemistry. He was also an amazing furniture builder and maker (before the term became popular). He made beautiful cherry wood furniture, toys for grandchildren, and chemical models for teaching fourth-grade students about molecules. Besides forever living in our memories, many have a piece of his craftsmanship in their homes. Paddy was not one to sit still. He was always finding things to fix and investigate - rebuilding MG Midgets, developing his own version of a garden sprinkling system, keeping the tractor running at the family cottage, and offering science education to students in the Rochester schools. This do-it-yourself and helping others attitude is the legacy that Paddy instilled in his family, and will be shared with generations to come. He is survived by his beautiful wife of 55 years, Clare, his sons Michael Grisdale (Gina Grisdale) of Rochester, NY and Paul Grisdale (Maureen Grisdale) of Hilton, NY, and his daughter Catherine Wang (Percy Wang), of Chicago, IL. He adored his role as Poppy to his seven grandchildren - Victoria, Monica, Briana, Emma, Charlie, Oliver, and Riley and hopes that he taught at least one of them the difference between a phillips and flathead screwdriver. The family would like to thank the team at St. Ann's Home for their care and support during his final year of life. A private family service will be held on April 13, 2020. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Paddy's memory to the Parkinson's Foundation (www.parkinson.org).