A Tribute to Mr. G.

We read in the Star-Ledger of the passing of Mr. Russell Graddy, “Mr. G.”, whom we had met in the course of his fight for justice from NJ Transit.  Over 2 or 3 years, he and his group of dedicated supporters showed up at each board meeting in “Justice for Mr. G.” T-shirts, speaking truth to power, with courtesy and passion, refusing to be discouraged.  Each month, the group testified to Mr. G’s integrity, support of his community, and the need to right the long-standing injustice.  Mr. G. was always the closing speaker, reminding the board that, though they individually were not there in Atlantic City so many years ago, a board inherits the unresolved problems of the past, and this was theirs to solve.

We learned a bit of his unexpected success in winning the bid for a shop at the Atlantic City bus station, his Paterson bank coming through to support him in that expansion, the dishonorable way in which he was evicted from that successful business, his rent payments for years afterward, even while locked out, in an attempt to resolve the issues.  We learned of his role in bringing Dr. King to Paterson, of his influence in the community over the decades—and we had a memorable lunch at his diner, Mr. G’s.  He arrived as we were eating, and sat with us for quite some time, shooting the breeze.

Some of us feared that NJ Transit was dragging out his case deliberately, so we were pleased when in 2020 we heard that NJT had finally made an offer that Mr. G. could accept.  Given the pandemic’s closing of Mr. G’s, he has been living in the Catskills, where his funeral will be held; there will be a memorial service in his home city of Paterson.

Farewell, Mr. G.; rest in peace, rest in power, and condolences to your family and friends from all of us at the Lackawanna Coalition.

One response to “A Tribute to Mr. G.”

  1. David Peter Alan Avatar
    David Peter Alan

    Mr. G. was a great man.

    I was one of his strongest supporters, along with Sally and the late Stephen Thorpe (former Coalition Vice-Chair).

    Mr. G. ran off from Georgia to come to New Jersey, where he could have opportunities to succeed. He DID succeed, even though he had a dispute with NJ Transit. I honor him for his perseverance and his forthrightness in appearing at NJ Transit Board meetings every month for years, making the case for being treated with the dignity and the respect that he deserved.

    NJ Transit finally settled their dispute with him just before the COVID-19 virus hit; at the last in-person meeting that the Board ever held. NJ Transit finally accorded Mr. G. the respect that he deserved, and I commend them for doing that.

    Rest in peace, Mr. G. You ARE respected.

    DAVID PETER ALAN
    Chair, Emeritus

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *