Patrick Grant

Patrick Joseph Grant, age 84, of Grand Rapids, passed away Wednesday June 16, 2021. He was born in Jackson Heights, NY on July 23, 1936 to the late Bernard E. and Rosalie Grant. Patrick was preceded in death by his mother and father along with his elder brother Bernard George, elder sister Marie Elizabeth and younger sister Rosalie Helen. He is survived by his twin brother Gerald Louis. Patrick left home at an early age to travel around the US and Canada in the late 1950's and early 1960's. He joined the Army for a short stint before enlisting in the Marine Corp. His military travels took him all over the US and then to Hawaii here he learned he did not like pineapple. In the 1970's he served in the Army National Guard where he trained as an electrician. He always thought of himself as a Marine and not a soldier. His travels eventually led him to Florida where he married his wife Miriam Jean Still currently residing in Georgia and had 3 sons, John Joseph, Bernard Edward II and Samuel Clifford all living in Florida. He also is survived by grandchildren; Zachary Grant, Victoria Grant, Makela Grant and Bernard Grant III and one great-grandchild Brantley Grant. Patrick always had a joke or riddle ready whenever you met him. His jokes and riddles were the predecessor of the often loved, but always disliked Dad Jokes of today. You could say he was a pioneer of the genre. After his separation and divorce, he again traveled extensively working many jobs, but seemed to focus on cooking as his passion. He cooked for many types of restaurants all over the US from high end seafood restaurants in Florida to the famous casino buffets in Las Vegas and Reno Nevada. After moving to Michigan in 2005, his health started to decline and in 2009 he became a resident of the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans where he quickly made friends and found a new family. He loved the home and found many activities to participate in including his two favorites; bingo and a new passion for painting. It was at the GRHV that Patrick explored his creative side with ceramics and finally canvas painting. He exhibited a latent talent that was impressive winning awards from local art shows much to the surprise of his family. He hid this talent well behind a string of dad jokes. Memorial service to take place at Grand Rapids Home for Veterans July 16, 2021 at 1pm. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, (616) 452-3006. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Patrick Grant, please visit our flower store.