HOUGHTON – Harold Arthur Grant, of 7382 Centerville Road, passed away Tuesday (Jan. 18, 2022) at Olean General Hospital, following a heart regulating procedure.
Harold was born July 24, 1928, in Goshen, in the Catskills, a son of the late Ralph and Estella Smith Grant, as one of an eventual total 13 children.
On June 30, 1951, he married the love of his life, Evangeline Goldie Osgood, whom he met at her father’s church in Chichester. Evangeline and Harold celebrated their 70th year of marriage in June.
Though not able to finish his education after the eighth grade, as he left to help contribute to his large family, Harold made sure that his children would be afforded the opportunity to attend college by coming here to work for Houghton College. All five of his children had that educational opportunity.
Early in his career, he worked as a lumberjack until he found an apprenticeship as a print maker and linotype operator, first in the Syracuse Publishing House in Syracuse then as a printer for the New Milford Times in New Milford, Conn., before getting an opportunity to come to Houghton College, where he worked from 1964-1994 in the College Press as a linotype operator and later as the Quick Print operator.
He greatly enjoyed collaborating with the students, working and putting together the college newspaper, The Houghton Star. Twice Harold was voted as staff member of the year for the college, once in the 70s and once in the 90s, showing his influence over the decades.
His influence was also felt in the Houghton community, which he was proud to be a part of. He was a lifetime member of the Houghton Volunteer Fire Department, holding positions over the years including captain of the ambulance crew, captain of the snorkel, assistant fire chief, and fire chief in the mid-70s.
With his wife, Evangeline, Harold often opened their home to students and young persons in need, who often lived with them for periods of time; he considered them part of his family. Some referred to them as “Macho” and “Pacho.”
He was also a member of the Houghton Community Association from the 70s to the 90s ensuring community improvements; participated in many bowling leagues within the county over the years; was a longtime member of the Wesleyan Methodist church and attended the Houghton Wesleyan Church; and was often remembered as a loved spectator and supporter of many Fillmore Central sports teams over the years, as well as Houghton College basketball and soccer games. In his later years, he also attended the Genesee Rapids games.
He loved fly-fishing in the Catskills and hunting locally, making many jealous of his hunting prowess.
As New York State Commissioner of Clan Grant for many years, Harold could be seen attending Celtic festivals across the state, discussing his clan history and making friends wherever he went. He was overjoyed when he was able to visit his Clan Grant territory in Scotland twice in his lifetime.
Surviving in addition to his wife are their children, David and Molly Wenke Grant of Hawthorne, Fla., Vicki and Earl Grant-White of Houghton, Michael and Donna Hartman Grant of Honeoye, Valerie and Michael Smith of Caneadea and Rebecca and Larry Griffin of Sterling, Va. Harold was also very enamored of his 19 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren, often telling them, “Make me proud” whenever he said good-bye to them. Three persons were named after him, David Arthur Grant, Brandon Grant Fegley and Ryan Harold O’Gorman. Besides his immediate family, he is survived by his sisters, Jane Dempster, Norma Curtis and Dorothy Grant; as well as multiple beloved nieces and nephews, many of whom considered him their father figure.
He was predeceased by his parents; seven brothers; and two sisters.
Family and friends may gather from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, at the Kopler-Williams Funeral Home, 21 N. Genesee St., Fillmore, where a fireman’s service will be held at 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, in the Houghton Wesleyan Church. Rev. Dr. Wesley Oden will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Houghton.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Houghton Volunteer Fire Department or to Houghton College.
Online condolences may be made at www.koplerwilliamsfuneralhome.com.
Published by Olean Times Herald on Jan. 22, 2022.
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