John J. Rady of Keswick, Virginia formerly of Boonesville, the self-proclaimed “good-looking guy with a moustache” died on January 10, 2026. He was 85. John was raised in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, the youngest of Eugene and Eleanor Rady’s three children. He lost both his mother and stepmother in tragic accidents when he was a preschooler and teenager. A resilient person, John went on to lead a rich and happy life of adventure, family, friends and colleagues.

After graduating from high school John left midwestern farm life behind and joined his best friend, Mike, in sunny South Florida. This was just the beginning of John’s many bold travel adventures including: a motorcycle tour of Europe from southern Spain to northern Scandinavia, a cross country camping trip (with future wife, Kai) through 37 states and multiple provinces of Canada, a weeks’ long driving trip through England from Surrey to the Lakes with kids in tow, a couple of hazardous drives from coast to coast in Ireland and across the Yucatan, and multiple family trips to the Outer Banks, Cape Cod, and the Caribbean. In later life, John and Kai enjoyed train travel through Italy and a memorable tour of Mediterranean antiquities on a cruise ship in the company of a few other intrepid Americans defying a State Department red alert.

Eventually Kai and John adopted a quiet life on their beloved country retreat, Harris Mountain Farm, at the foot of the Blue Ridge. The farm drew in their extended family and friends where they hosted many joyful weekends, summer vacations and winter holidays. Resident and visiting dogs were ever present adding to the chaos while fishing in the pond, hiking wooded trails and racing the Gator across rolling fields.

John enjoyed a career in farm and estate sales with various Charlotteville firms including as a founding partner in McLean Faulconer. He retired from Frank Hardy International in 2023. Along the way he co-founded Shenanigans toy store, acquired a contractor’s license, built a garden shed and an addition to his and Kai’s 1820’s log cabin and became a voracious reader of both non-fiction and fiction. His knowledge of historic Virginia estates was legend as was his way with an irreverent anecdote involving misadventures with famous clients, colleagues and friends.

John was always fair in his judgment, intolerant of cruelty and loyal to a fault. He recognized his weaknesses, fought to overcome them and helped others along the way. He was a free-spirited dad, recognized as “one of a kind” by his children and their many school, swim team, and neighborhood friends. He was a generous and fun-loving Pop to his grandchildren. He loved Kai and respected her decisions having to do with business, kids, pets, decorating and even his wardrobe. He reserved for himself most of the real estate and vehicle decisions (about which Kai often did not agree). It all worked out in the end.

John leaves his wife, Kai; children, Joshua (Lili Bennett), and Meaghan (Mark Pesavento); grandchildren, Hope (Bee), Sylvia, and Clara; and most recent Jack Russell, Daisy. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, Jim (Darlene) and John Howard (Sharon Prado); his step siblings, Randall Schoenberg and Frances Odekirk; best pal Pete; nieces, nephews, and numerous cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents; siblings, Gene and Rose; brother-in-law, Bob Hilbert; stepsister, Nancy Graf; and many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A memorial is planned for the spring. Donations in John’s name may be made to Woodwell Climate Research Center, Falmouth, MA or Hospice of the Piedmont, Charlottesville, VA.

An online guestbook is available at www.compassionatecremationva.com

Compassionate Cremation Services of Ruckersville, VA is handling the arrangements.