Gordon Grant

Obituary of Gordon James Grant

Gordon James Grant, Sr. Gordon James Grant, Sr. of Hilton Head Island passed away peacefully at Veterans’ Victory House in Walterboro, on Sunday, October 29, 2017 at 10:40 a.m. He was 92 years old. Mr. Grant was a World War II Veteran, advertising executive, accomplished entrepreneur, community member, and loving family man. He grew up in Mount Kisco, N.Y. and graduated from St. Mary’s School. Mr. Grant joined the U.S. Navy at age 17, and proudly served his country for three years in the South Pacific as a Pharmacist’s Mate, until the end of World War II. Mr. Grant graduated from Rider College in the Class of 1952, with a Bachelor’s of Business Science degree in Journalism. He was a member of Delta Sigma Pi International Fraternity, and was active on campus. Mr. Grant met Rita Joanne Fitzgerald of Osterville, MA., Executive Secretary to the President of BBDO, and they were married on September 25, 1954 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in White Plains, N.Y. They honeymooned at The Cloister in Sea Island, GA. Mr. Grant was a highly successful advertising sales executive in the print, broadcasting and radio industries. Mr. Grant worked for The New York Herald Tribune, New York; WRKO, Boston; Triangle Broadcasting, New York; and WABC-TV, New York. At ABC, Mr. Grant was involved with the launching of many network television programs, most notably ABC’s Wide World of Sports and the 1960 VIII Olympic Winter Games, the first Olympics to be televised in the United States. Mr. Grant also owned a Boston-market radio station in the 1960’s. In 1968, Mr. Grant left the “Mad Men” world of New York media and advertising, and opened a highly successful restaurant, The Ox Yoke Inn, in Armonk, N.Y. Mr. Grant also became a successful realtor in Northern Westchester with Houlihan-Lawrence, where he was a member of The Million Dollar Club. In 1989, he retired to Hilton Head Island, and built a house with his wife Rita in Hilton Head Plantation. He was active with friends, loved poker, an avid gardener, golfer, loved his home, church and his many dogs. A lifelong Catholic, Mr. Grant was an active member of St. Francis by the Sea, where he served as an usher for many years. He also was a member of The Knights of Columbus and volunteered at their thrift store. He was a Full Founding Member of The Country Club of Hilton Head. Gordon James Grant, Sr. was born on October 14, 1925 in New York, N.Y. Mr. Grant is predeceased by and the proud son of Theresa (Lavin) Grant and Angus Grant. His parents both immigrated to the United States from Ireland and Scotland in the early 1900’s. In addition to Hilton Head, he lived in White Plains, N.Y., Boston, MA., Valhalla, N.Y. and Chappaqua, N.Y., the latter for over 30 years before he retired. He is survived by his wife and lifelong partner, Rita Joanne (Fitzgerald) Grant, of Hilton Head Island; his four children and their spouses: Mary Pamela Brokate of South Salem, N.Y. (Brian); Elizabeth Anne Bohmert of Beaufort, S.C. (Charles); Gordon James Grant, Jr. of Hilton Head, S.C. and Christopher Redmond Grant of Bluffton, S.C.: his beloved grandchildren: Grant Brokate of Mt. Kisco, N.Y., Erin Brokate of New York, N.Y., Kerry Lee (Bohmert) Gibson (Abe) of Lexington, S.C., Christie Bohmert of Charlotte, N.C., Christopher Brokate of South Salem, N.Y., and Grant Bohmert of Beaufort, S.C.; and his cousin, Robert McCarthy (Jackie) of Sacramento, CA. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, November 3rd at 10 a.m. at St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church followed by burial with military honors, at Beaufort National Cemetery, Beaufort, S.C. at 1p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. May God grant him peace. The Island Funeral Home and Crematory. islandfuneralhome.com To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Gordon Grant, please visit our Flower & Gift Shop.
A Memorial Tree was planted for Gordon
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at The Island Funeral Home & Crematory
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