Paul A. Grau, 60, Law Director for Brecksville, Oakwood and At One Time Garfield Heights

Paul A. Grau served as law director for three communities in Cuyahoga County since becoming a lawyer in the mid-1970s: Brecksville, Oakwood and Garfield Heights.

The Brecksville resident died May 4 of complications following heart surgery at age 60.

Grau began working in the Garfield Heights law department in 1976. He later was appointed law director.

In 1981, while still in charge of Garfield Heights legal matters, Grau began his 30-year career as . A change in mayors ended his appointment in Garfield Heights.

He handled similar duties for the village of Oakwood since October 1992.

Grau "was a giant in the field of Ohio municipal law,” Oakwood Mayor Gary Gottschalk said. “Paul’s counsel was essential in transforming Oakwood’s economic base and tax revenue stream.”

He ushered Oakwood, which had been known for its landfills and smokestack industries, into the 21^st century. With industries “based on knowledge, technology and life science research, we’ve become a premier community,” Gottschalk said.

Brecksville Mayor Jerry N. Hruby said in a prepared statement that Grau “has served the City with great dignity and professionalism these past 30 years. His knowledge of municipal law was unparalleled. We shall miss him greatly not only as a trusted advisor but also as a person with so many qualities which made him a well-liked and highly-respected individual.”

The press release added that those qualities included “his great skill as a wordsmith and possessor of a keen and extremely dry wit.”

In recent years, Grau’s wife said his passion was the Jennings Center for Older Adults, run by the Sisters of the Holy Spirit in Garfield Heights. He served on its board for more than 10 years and was a past board chairman.

Grau, the son of a machinist, was born and grew up in Buffalo, NY.

After graduating from the State University of New York at Oswego, he married his high school sweetheart, Linda Mruk, and moved to Cleveland to attend Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

Grau was a managing partner in the law firm of Reddy, Grau and Meek in Garfield Heights, which he joined in 1978.

“Paul’s devotion to his Linda, his family and the Lord defined him as a man,” Gottshalk said. "We’ve lost a very classy gentleman.”

Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Linda; son, Andy (Alyssa); and sister, Mary Grau Falcone.

Calling hours are 2-8 p.m. Sunday, May 8, at , 8150 Brecksville Road.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, May 9, at , 8700 Brecksville Road.

Donations may be made to Jennings Center for Older Adults, 10204 Granger Road, Garfield Heights, OH 44125.