Swimming, Running, and Cycling to Save Lives!
(Check out Katie's Blog: http://katiegrant.wordpress.com)
It is with great sadness that I update this page. After a 6-month battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, my father, Eugene F. Grant, passed away peacefully on May 27th, 2009 at 8:41 PM. He had made such good process and he fought so hard, and his passing came as a great shock to us all. We did not fully realize the aggressive nature of his disease and in the end, even though the bone marrow transplant looked promising, it was another subtype of Leukemia that developed and eventually overcame his body. He died too young and will be sorely missed by his entire family and all of his friends.
I will still be swimming, running, and cycling on June 13th in his memory. For those of you who may have not known my dad, I would like to share his obituary, which was written by his three children and his Godson. We loved him so much and we will miss him dearly.
EUGENE F. GRANT, OBITUARY:
Medford - Eugene F. Grant, 68, an Attorney in private practice and former Mayor of Medford, died May 27 at Massachusetts General Hospital after a courageous battle with Leukemia.
Gene was a lifelong resident and avid civic servant in Medford, MA. He was born and raised and spent his entire life in the Wellington section of Medford, graduating Medford High School in 1958. At an early age, Gene began his prominent political career by first representing the constituents of the Wellington section of Medford as City Councilor from 1972 to 1978. He then went on to serve the entire Medford community as its Mayor and Chairman of the School Committee from 1978 to 1980. During his tenure, Gene advocated for fiscal responsibility and the expansion of the business community in Medford, focusing on development in the Wellington district and revitalization of Medford Square.
Another memorable highlight during his term was the "Great Blizzard of '78." Mr. Grant, like so many others, navigated his way through the storm from Boston to Medford. He was instrumental in leading the City of Medford through a declared state of emergency during the storm. Mayor Grant collaborated with the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration, The United States Army Corp of Engineers, and Massachusetts National Guardsmen to provide much needed essential services to the citizens of Medford and later mitigated the clean up and restoration costs required to reopen the major arteries throughout the City of Medford.
Gene continued to be a prominent figure in local and state politics while pursuing one of his other true lifelong passions - the practice of Law. Although his parents had limited education, Gene was determined to accomplish this dream. With the help of many friends and his wife, Charlotte, he graduated from Suffolk University and later Suffolk University School of Law. Gene was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1968, the Federal Bar in 1970, and to the US Supreme Court in 1979. He spent over forty years practicing law throughout Greater Boston and ended his career back in his beloved City of Medford where he operated in private practice with his daughter, Sheila Grant-Vultaggio, Esq. Although Gene had a general practice, his specialty was in real estate. He represented Winter Hill Bank, FSB starting in 1980. Sandra McGoldrick, President of Winter Hill Bank, commented "Gene worked for the bank for more than thirty years and helped so many of us professionally and personally. He would always have time to stop and say hello and answer any questions that any of us would ask."
In addition to his real estate practice, Gene was always available to render assistance to many in the City of Medford where he grew up. He never forgot the loyal supporters through his numerous campaigns and was a guiding force in advocating for their concerns. As a Son of Irish Immigrants, Gene always had an open door for any immigrant that needed legal or other advice, regardless of their financial situation. Many of his clients did not at first know him personally, but heard of his great compassion and went on to become life-long, personal friends with him. Because of his counsel, many of them went on to achieve the American dream of legal status and the ability to purchase their first home.
It is through his parents, whose roots were in the Hills of Donegal in Inishowen, Clonmany, that Gene came to value his Irish heritage. Gene continued this exploration of his roots by taking numerous trips back to his ancestors' homeland. Over the years, Gene reconnected with his numerous cousins and relatives, forming lasting friendships, and through them gained a greater appreciation and a life-long love for his heritage, and especially Irish music. This was evident as a lifetime member of the Irish American Association of Malden, a member of the Sons of Erin on Cape Cod, and one of the founding members of the Irish Cultural Centre of New England. Gene was especially proud to share this love of Ireland with his family, especially his wife of 42 years, Charlotte (Buckley).
Charlotte was his best friend and confidant, who was at his side for all of his great successes and all his near misses. Together they raised three children Sen P. Grant of Saugus, Sheila E. Grant-Vultaggio of Woburn, and Kathryn B. Grant of Medford. He leaves his beloved sister, Maureen Wojtkiewicz, and her husband John, of Tewksbury, MA and his sister-in-law, Marjorie (Murphy) Grant of Medford, MA. Gene also leaves a large extended family, which includes many nieces, nephews, and cherished friends, all of whom he loved dearly and who loved him very much. Gene will be remembered always for the way he touched people's lives and how he always tried to lend a helping hand. He was a great man who will be sorely missed by many.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society c/o Kathryn Grant at 624 Boston Ave, Unit 9B, Medford, MA 02155 or online at http://pages.teamintraining.org/ma/HyannisT9/katiegrant.
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Thank you for your support!
Katie Grant - and all of The Grant's! (Gene and Charlotte, Sean and Jeanne, Sheila and Phil, and Jon)
Last Edited on: 06/09/2009
30 comments
Moe
Wed Feb 11 12:05:23 EST 2009
The O'Neill Family
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