Jim Frady to retire

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
May 1, 2008

Jim Frady will be changing hats on May 2 from maintenance person to full-on grandpa duties.

Frady started working for the Diocese of Sioux City almost 25 years ago.

"I have gone through three bishops and five chancellors," said Frady. "Each one is different and each one has his own ideas. They have all been pretty good to work for. I have been able to set my own schedule. As long as I get my work done, it is fine."

He has worked on keeping up the grounds and maintaining several properties in the diocese including the Chancery building, The Catholic Globe and Tribunal building, Angel House, Marian Hall, the bishop's residence, Vianney House in Milford, a four-plex in Spencer and others.

During his time, he has helped with more than one remodel of the Chancery building.

"We did a remodel at Vianney House. It was a disaster when we went up there," said Frady. "So we did that one summer."

When he came to work for the diocese, the building where The Catholic Globe is located was Catholic Charities. He worked on remodeling that building as well.

His other duties included mowing lawns and snow removal for the properties in Sioux City.

"I have been doing basic maintenance and trying to keep up with the buildings, which is a challenge," said Frady.

Along with maintenance work, he pointed out that he assisted with the preparations for the episcopal ordinations of Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo and Bishop R. Walker Nickless.

In retirement, he will be helping raise his granddaughter while his daughter is working.

"I am going to do as much fishing and hunting as I possibly can," said Frady. "I haven't avoided it, but I just haven't had time to do it."

He also plans to do repair work on his house - siding and thermal insulation - within the first two weeks.

Frady said he is looking forward to retirement and doing some "things for me."