Grady B. Shoemaker, 20

LACONIA — Grady Brendan Shoemaker, 20, of Laconia, passed away suddenly on Nov. 14, 2025, following a car accident in Gilford.

Born on June 19, 2005, in Laconia, Grady grew up within both the Laconia and Gilford school communities. He participated in the Huot Plumbing Program and was active in Laconia Youth Football, Silver Hawks Football, Lakes Region Lacrosse, and Lakes Region Lakers Hockey. Grady was passionate about the sports he played and the teams he and his family supported, including the Wolves hockey team and the Laconia Muskrats.

At the age of 9, Grady survived a severe lawnmower accident that required extensive surgery and years of physical therapy. He faced this challenge with determination, meeting pain and difficulty with gratitude for the support shown by the many communities he was involved with.

In the years that followed, Grady navigated significant challenges with mental health, including depression and substance abuse. He and his family were deeply grateful for the support of Lakes Region Mental Health Center, Navigating Recovery and AA as Grady worked toward sobriety and healing.

Despite hardships, Grady found joy and purpose in his work. He held customer service positions at Walgreens and CVS before discovering a passion for serving others at Hector’s and T-BONES of Laconia. He also took pride in contributing to his family’s restaurant, South End Pizza & Seafood, owned by his uncle, Micah Shoemaker.

Grady’s dedication to service and love for authentic connection with people is seen in his volunteer work with Hands Across the Table (HATT) through the St. André Bessette Parish community. He was involved in the parish youth group and, throughout his life, attended New Covenant Church, Grace Capital Church, St. André Bessette Parish, and most recently, Living Hope Church in Lakeport.

Grady is survived by his parents, Buddy and Jess of Laconia; sister Grace of Franklin; brother Drew (Molly) of Franklin; niece Josie of Franklin; great-grandfather Raymond Winter Sr. of South Park, Pennsylvania; uncles Joe (Adrienne) Shoemaker of Concord, Aarim (Sabrina) Shoemaker of Skowhegan, Maine, Micah (Kristen) Shoemaker of Laconia, and Tobey (Emily) Shoemaker of Sanbornton; aunts Dana Cozzens of Dalham, England, Shira (Chris) Lemire of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Christa (Nate) Krakowski of Mishawaka, Indiana. He is the beloved grandson of Phyllis and Keith Shoemaker of Laconia, Lyn (Dirk) Plummer of Laconia, and Raymond (Janice) Winter Jr. of Coconut Creek, Florida. Grady is predeceased by his uncle Joshua Shoemaker.

Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19, in the Carriage House at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant St.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20, at St. Andre Bessette Parish-Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Ave.

Burial will follow the Mass at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Garfield Street.

A reception will follow at the Sacred Heart Parish Gymnasium. Come pray, cry, hug, laugh and eat.

In lieu of flowers, the Shoemaker family welcomes donations to Adult & Teen Challenge, 147 Laurel St., Manchester, NH 03103, where Grady spent the majority of his last three months dedicated to recovery. Remember: they don’t have to be sober for you to tell them you love them.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, Laconia, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.