Joseph D. Grant, 87, of Franklin died May 29 in the Lydia Taft House in Uxbridge. He was the husband of the late Helen Marie (Upright) Grant who died in 1998.
Born in Springfield, January 15, 1924, the son of the late Max and Sarah (Robbins) Grant, Mr. Grant was raised in Springfield and had lived in Franklin since 1969.
Mr. Grant had been a salesman in the auto and furniture business in the local area for many years.
He served in the Army during World War II; attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Mr. Grant was a familiar face participating in the Memorial Day Parade in Franklin up until this year.
He was a member of the American Legion.
Joe loved sports and had been a semi pro baseball pitcher in his younger days.
He also loved to smoke cigars.
Her is survived by his children, Stuart Grant of Long Neck, New York, James Grant of N. Smithfield, RI, Maxine LaChance of Whitinsville and his step children, Larry Brown of Mooresville, NC, Harry Gonyer of Dewey Beach, Delaware, and Margaret Wagner of Slidell, Louisiana.
He was the father of the late Victoria Wilson.
He is also survived b his brother Dr. Harvey Grant of Longmeadow and was the brother of the late Alfred and Richard Grant and Annette Goodless.
He is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
His memorial service will be held on Tuesday. June 7 in the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin 131 Main St. in Franklin at 1:00 p.m.
Visitation will be on Tuesday from Noon-1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Charity of One’s Choice.