HUDSON – Ronald Dana Grant, 74, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, Jan. 12, 2011, at a Bangor hospital. He was born April 7, 1936, in Bangor, the son of Vesta (McCleary) and Vaughn Grant. Ron was raised by his mother and stepfather, Leo Averill. He graduated from Bangor High School, where he met his sweetheart, Betty Palmer. Ron and Betty married after high school and moved to Hudson, where they began their family and also became very involved in their community, especially in establishing Hudson Volunteer Fire Department. Ron spent his life working in the auto body field and volunteering with the fire department, where he held the chief position in 1990. He loved old trucks, in particular fire trucks, and shared this passion with everyone he met, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He could be found in his yard tinkering on his “toys.” Ron was well known in the community, especially for being “The Grumpy Old Man,” a title he was proud of. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Betty (Palmer) Grant; children, Ida Dort of Levant, James Grant of Hudson, Julie Paschal and her partner, Arthur Clark, of Glenburn, Kenneth Grant and his partner, Vicky Sabine, of Corinth, Brenda Grant of West Virginia and William Grant of Hudson; 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; siblings, Harold Grant of New Hampshire, Marion Hazen of Iowa, Kay Morrill of Orrington and Jeannette Morrill of Bangor; many nieces, nephews and dear friends. In addition to his parents, Ron was predeceased by his son-in-law, Robert Dort; grandson, Leo Grant; brothers, Roland Averill and Richard Averill; and sisters, Ruth Guyton, Helen LaCrosse and Dorothy Hawkes. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 17, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, with the Rev. Garnett Chute, pastor of Hermon Baptist Church, officiating. Relatives and friends are welcome to call one hour prior to the service. After the service relatives and friends are invited to share conversation and refreshments at Hudson Town Hall. Those wishing to remember Ron in a special way may make gifts in his name to Susan G. Komen for the Cure Maine Affiliate, P.O. Box 1626 Bangor, ME 04402-1626 or Hudson Volunteer Fire Department, 2334 Hudson Road, Hudson, ME 04449. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
RONALD DANA GRANT
