Patrick McGrady, former CEO of the $1.3 billion, Toledo, Ohio-based Directions Credit Union, passed away peacefully on Aug. 19, 2025, the credit union announced Wednesday.
According to his obituary, he was 83.
McGrady spent nearly three decades as a leader in the credit union industry, most notably as CEO of Directions, which was known as Toledo St. Clement Credit Union and held $2 million in assets when he first joined. Under his leadership, the credit union grew to more than $340 million in assets, expanding its reach and increasing its service to members beyond west Toledo across Ohio and southeast Michigan.
McGrady’s career in the credit union movement also included serving as a director for CUNA (now America’s Credit Unions) as well as for CUES, where he served as chairman and was later inducted into the CUES Hall of Fame for his contributions to credit union leadership. He also served as director and chairman of card services for credit unions and was named Professional of the Year by the Ohio Credit Union League. What’s more, he was one of the first members to be appointed to the Ohio Credit Union Council by the state’s governor.
While serving as a member of the CUES Board, McGrady played a key role in establishing the CEO Institute, a program that educates and inspires current and future credit union leaders. He also remained a valued advisor and active member of CURE (Credit Union Retired Executives) after his retirement.
Outside of the credit union industry, McGrady was involved with numerous community and educational boards, including Lourdes University in Sylvania, Ohio, the Toledo Rotary and the Catholic Foundation Board for the Diocese of Toledo. He was also an avid supporter of St. Francis de Sales High School, a Catholic school in Columbus, where he established the McGrady Family Scholarship and the Salesian Leadership Program.
“Pat McGrady was more than a CEO – he was a builder of people, institutions and ideas,” Directions President/CEO Barry Shaner said. “His leadership helped define what it means to be a credit union in service to the community.”
McGrady is survived by his wife Angele, their children Michele and Kevin, and two grandchildren.
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