Cherry Plain – It is with love and deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Francis “Frank” John Grant Sr. on Monday, March 21, 2011, at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, VT, after a brief illness.
A resident of this area since October of 1961, Frank was born in Port Henry, NY, on December 6, 1935, to the late Agnes Grant. He was the foster child of the late Lester and Mary Weise. He was raised in the Roman Catholic faith. Frank graduated from Keene Valley Central School in 1954. He enlisted in the United States Navy in January of 1955. He served for four years as a Yeoman 3rd Class personnel clerk and chauffeur on the attack carrier USS Intrepid and the USS Ducksberry Bay. He was honorably discharged in 1959.
On June 6, 1962, Frank married the former Janice Wager in Lebanon Springs, NY. He was a member of the Laborer’s International Union of North American Local #190 out of Glenmont, NY, from 1963 until his retirement in 1995. He worked for Torrington Construction in Keeseville, NY, Lane Construction, D.A. Collins, Aborrio and spent 17 years with Callanan Industries. Frank was a former constable for the Town of Stephentown, NY, a member of the Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the Veterans of the Stephentown Area. In retirement Frank could be seen anytime on his riding mower or on his hands and knees meticulously caring for his home on Route 22. A blow of a horn would always get a wave back by Frank. Frank’s hobbies included hunting, fishing, playing cards with the Thursday night crew, spending time with family and friends and spending winter months in Florida. He will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Janice W. Grant, his two sons, Francis J. Grant, Jr. and Cyril A. and wife Mary M. Grant, all of Stephentown, his grandchildren, Eric F., Sarah A. and Samantha L. Grant and a foster brother, Don and wife Marilyn Weise of Howes Cave, NY, along with many co-workers and friends. He is pre-deceased by a brother, Gerry Grant.
Funeral services will be held on Monday morning, March 28, at 11 am in the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, 457 NY 43, Stephentown, where Rev. Trygve Tomlinson will officiate. Interment with full military honors will follow in Berlin Community Cemetery.
Relatives and friends are invited to the funeral home for visitation on Sunday from 3 to 7 pm. A Catholic vigil service will be held at 5 pm.
To remember Frank in a special way, memorial contributions would be appreciated and should be given to either the Veterans of the Stephentown Area, the Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department or the Berlin Rescue Squad in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 9, Stephentown, NY, 12168.