Stanley A. Grant Jr.

WINDHAM — Stanley Arthur Grant Jr., 89, died at home on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014.

Stan was born in Greenfield, Mass., on July 5, 1924, to Stanley and Ethel (Messer) Grant Sr. He graduated from Greenfield High School in 1943 and went immediately into the United States Navy. He proudly served his country on the repair ship, the ˆ and shipped out to Okinawa, Japan in 1943, at the height of the invasion in World War II.

Before he left, his ship pulled into Portland Harbor where he met a local girl, Pearl Verrill. They corresponded during his service and when he was discharged in 1946 as an electrician’s mate 2nd class, they married in Portland at the Advent Christian Church on Park Avenue on March 22, 1947. Stan and Pearl adopted two children, Bernice and Bruce. They are also legal guardians to their other daughter, Rosalie.

Stan was very involved in his church, the Highland Cliff Advent Christian Church of Windham, where he served as a Sunday school teacher, deacon and trustee. He also held the same positions in the Portland Advent Christian Church and was a charter member of Christ Chapel Advent Christian Church in Raymond. When Stan lived in Cape Elizabeth, he attended the Church of the Nazarene there for a time. He was also a trustee and on the board of the Advent Christian Camp Meeting Association Inc. of Mechanic Falls. Of all the positions he held, his greatest joy was teaching Sunday school to junior high boys.

Stan worked at S.D. Warren, Baker Refrigeration, Keddy Manufacturing Company, Cushman Baking, Raytheon and Inn by the Sea. Most of his career was spent as an electrician for Southworth Machine Company.

Stan was a member of the State American Legion, the Knights of Pythias of Windham and the AFL-CIO Union.

Stan loved to work in his vegetable garden, swim, canoe, fish, snow shoe, golf, play his guitar and sing, cutting fire wood, working around the house and food, but most of all he loved to be with his family.

After a wonderful Christmas Eve with his family, Stan passed away quietly at home in the care of his loving wife and Hospice of Southern Maine.

Stan Grant was predeceased by his parents; and his sister, Eleanor (Grant) Hescock.

Stan Grant leaves behind his wife of 66 years, Pearl (Verrill) Grant; a brother, Donald Grant of Greenfield, Mass.; two children and a ward, Bernice (Grant) Allen of Gorham, Bruce Grant of Bridgton and Rosalie Grant of Auburn; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild; many nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at the Highland Cliff Advent Christian Church, 96 Highland Cliff Road, Windham, on Thursday, Jan. 16, at 1 p.m. Funeral arrangements are with Dolby Funeral Home, Windham. Condolences for the family may be expressed at www.dolbyfuneralchapels.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mission Fund at the Highland Cliff Advent Christian Church.