Francis Richard Granat, age 66, resident of 21770 Sherred Hill Road, Venango, PA, died Thursday, November 24, 2011 at UPMS Montefiore Hospital, Pittsburgh following a several weeks illness. He had lived in the Venango – Cambridge areas all of his life. Born on November 12, 1946 in Crawford County, Francis was a son of the late Joseph Granat and Anna Miller Granat.
Following his graduation from Cambridge Springs High School in 1961 he graduated from Alliance College in 1965 where he majored in chemistry and played basketball. Then, for several years, he played professional basketball in Italy where he married his wife the former, Linda Hafemann.
Francis was a bio-chemist and worked for a pharmaceutical company in New Jersey for over 20 years as a chemist and also did research and lecturing for the company before retiring. He enjoyed hunting and fly fishing, tying his own flies.
Surviving Francis are four children – Tiffany Gross and her husband, Keith of Google, OR; Michael Granat of Blakeslee, PA; Arianne Dooley and her husband, Ken of Fairbanks, AK; and Francis Ryan Granat of Saylorsburg, PA; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. In addition a brother – Joseph Granat and his wife, Myra of Cambridge Springs and a sister, Elizabeth Novotny of Cambridge Springs survive.
There are no calling hours or funeral services planned. A memorial service for the family will be arranged in the future.
was a camp counselor in PA when Frank and Willis Reed and Emmit Bryant did i Knicks tour played against them I always wnodered where he wound up
Frank was a very intelligent, personable man with a great sense of humor. He was a wonderful friend to my father for many years. Whenever I think of Frank, a smile appears on my face. He will forever be remembered fondly by the countless people who were lucky enough to have known him. Best wishes and sincere condolences to his family.
Frank was very special.
I am grateful I had the opportunity to get to know Frank a little.
We spent a winter together laughing and talking, joking and smoking.
Frank had a wonderfully open mind. He was very intelligent and inquisitive.
I’ll not forget big Frank.
Happy trails, friend.
Hare Krishna!
Francis & I walked to school together during our high school years. We go back aways. I never expected to become next door neighbors years later. We shared property lines but most importantly shared some of our memories several times throughout the years. I’ll always remember him as a gentle, funny, and all round great individual and will miss our gab sessions. To all of his family, my deepest sympathy.
A tribute to Frank Granat from the Alliance College Alumni Association:
http://www.alliancecollege.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1079
Sympathy to the Granat family.
Frank u will be missed by all who knew u.he was a free spirit in a big world who lived a gd life may he rest in peace and keep living in his next life as the smart man whom we all will remember and loved.love ur family
In 1954, we all lived on McClellan Street. Recently, my sister Gail and I spoke of the Granat brothers! Our sympathy to the family from The Ellisons.
My family and I send our deepest sympathy to all the Granat Family & Relatives.
Francis was a good man and will be missed. If there is anything we can
do, please let us know.
God Bless all and Take Care. The Mathers Family
Frank was a very special, unique individual, a gaint of a man,(no pun intented). His expertise as a musician, chemist, horticulturist, and ‘outdoors man’ were superlative, inspirational and just plan fun. A wonderful humitarian and spiritual counselor Frank wil be missed immensely by all who knew him. l