Obituary of Patrick Joseph Grant

Patrick Joseph Grant Husband, Father, Grandfather Patrick Joseph Grant, 89, of Morris Plains, NJ died Tuesday, February 2, after a brief illness. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of nearly 62 years, Linda Moore Grant, four loving sons, Robert E. Grant of Ewing, NJ, Patrick Jeffrey Grant of Lanham, MD, Christopher J. Grant of Wayne, PA, Thomas B. Grant of Kennett Square, PA and 7 grandchildren. Patrick was predeceased in death by his parents Patrick J. Grant and Sarah Kelly Grant of West Orange, NJ, his brother Edward Thomas Grant and Kathleen Grant Skinner, of Bellevue, Washington. Patrick (Joe) was born to Patrick Joseph and Sarah Kelly Grant of West Orange, New Jersey on October 5, 1920. He grew up in West Orange along with his late brother, Edward Thomas Grant and his late sister, Kathleen Grant Skinner. Patrick graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes Grammar School and Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair. After high school he worked with his father in construction in the P.J. Grant Company. In 1942 Patrick enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force and served until 1946. He flew on 22 bombing missions as a B17 waist gunner in the 305th Bomb Group of the Eighth Air Force. Attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant, he was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon, the American Theater Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, the Air Medal and the Victory Medal. After World War II Patrick met and married Linda Moore, a friend of his sister, Kathleen. They lived in Springfield where they raised their four sons. In 1974 they moved to Watchung, where they lived until moving to Morris Plains in 2007. Patrick attended Seton Hall University after World War II. He was Vice President-Treasurer of Flockhart Foundry Company for many years and was President of the P.J. Grant Company. Patrick's devotion to God, the Catholic Church, his family and his country was without equal. His family's love for this good and decent man will be never ending. He also loved history, enjoyed the company of friends and family and enjoyed going to the reunions of the 305th Bomb Group. There will be a funeral Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am on Monday February 8, 2010 in the Chapel at Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Church (across the street from the main church) at 167 Mt. Bethel Road, Warren, New Jersey 07059 to be followed by a private interment at Holy Cross Cemetery in Basking Ridge, N.J. There will be a viewing at Gallaway & Crane Funeral Home at 101 South Finley Ave. in Basking Ridge, N.J. 07920 between the hours of 2pm to 6pm on Sunday February 7, 2010. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Missionaries of Charity, 168 Sussex Ave., Newark, New Jersey 07103. For more information please call the Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home at 908-766-0250 or visit our website at www.gcfuneralhome.com.