Obituary for Charles Oscar Grant
Charles Oscar Grant, also hailed as Charlie, Chaz, Daddy, Dad, Grampa, Gumpie, and Bumpie, by those who knew and loved him so much, passed away on Tuesday February 7th. He was born in Orrington, Maine on August 22, 1933 to Alma and Willis Grant.
Those who worked and studied at the University of Maine in Orono from 1962-1996 knew him best as Dr. Charles Grant, where he served as a psychologist after earning his PhD with honors at SUNY Buffalo. Dr. Grant was instrumental in building the Mental Health Clinic into the fully accredited University Counseling Center, which he was the director of for many years. After retirement, he continued counseling at various places well into his seventies. He especially enjoyed visiting Dirigo Pines residents, helping them through long chats and kind words.
Charlie lived life to its fullest, always displaying a contagious smile that lit up his face and the faces of those around him. He was almost always seen with the love of his life, Nancy, married just shy of 64 years! They were an amazing team, raising four children and enjoying their 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren as well as being AFS host parents to a multitude of students over the span of 43 years. He treated each like they were his own and was 85 when they hosted their last student! He and Nancy volunteered tirelessly with AFS and in 2019 they were nominated and won the NEWS CENTER Maine 2 Those Who Care Award. Charlie and Nancy also opened their home to many others as well, serving as a host family to many University of Maine International Students, and other international students looking a chance to spend some time in the United States. They never said no to anyone seeking a place to stay!
They attended the Orono United Methodist Church and led the junior high MYF group for many years. Charlie also served on the board of the United Methodist Conference Home.
Charlie enjoyed all of his children’s and grandchildren’s endeavors, rarely missing the opportunity to attend their pursuits; from driving his son Eric to hockey practices, often before the sun came up, meticulously keeping his own scorebook for every one of daughter Karen’s basketball games, attending Gretchen’s dance recitals and concerts and Jen’s field hockey games as well as school plays, and boy scout and girl scout activities. He supported his grandchildren in the same fashion, rarely missing hockey games and track meets. He also enjoyed their concerts, plays, dance recitals, skating competitions, recreational baseball and soccer games and other important events. To say he was proud of their accomplishments is an understatement!!
Charlie’s love of babies was unmatched, and he was never happier than when surrounded by the chaos only small children create! He was a book reading, game playing, boo-boo soothing, floor pacing, rocking chair rocker, calm, patient, generous and loving parent and grandparent, and we all basked in his love. He taught all of his children to become strong, independent thinkers, inquisitive, creative students, kind, compassionate friends, and caring, thoughtful siblings which in turn created loving, responsible and helpful adults.
Charlie’s other passions were woodworking and cars. In 1968 he designed and built the family camp on the ocean where so many amazing hours have been spent over the last 54 years boating in his beloved lobster boat, playing on the rocks, sailing small boats and large hand built rafts, digging for clams, picking blueberries, and walking the dirt roads. A highlight of each summer at camp was the celebration of his and Nancy’s August birthdays with a huge lobster feed for the whole family. He also built furniture for his wife and made each of his daughters beautiful doll houses and cedar chests, among many other lovingly crafted items.
Cars were his other passion. Over the years he was the proud owner of many antique cars, driving his last, a Ford Model T back and forth to work at the University. As far as the family car, Charlie rarely ever drove the same one for more than two years. He loved the hunt for new automobiles, and once was even asked to leave a dealership when his insistence that a better deal could be had was met with resistance. He did, of course, buy the car for the price he wanted at another dealership!
He will be missed tremendously by his wife Nancy; children Eric Grant, Karen Frazell, Gretchen Casey and Jennifer Tower; their spouses Suzanne, Dan, Scott and Brian; his grandchildren Kaitlin, Justin (Lisa), Brian (Ashley), Nicholas (Amelia), Jennie, Orion (Andrea), Corey, Ryan (Brianne), Shawn (Kailee) and Cam and his great-grandchildren Alyx, Jude, Luca, Aly, Keller, Brylee, Brooke and Benjamin. His beloved siblings, twin brother James, younger brother Frank and little sister Grace and his many in-laws, nieces and nephews will miss him dearly. He is predeceased by his parents Alma and Willis Grant of Orrington, ME.
Charlie had a passion for family and friends. He made the time to show up for everyone who reached out, always providing caring, trustworthy, and sound counsel. He simply wanted to brighten lives in his days on this earth and help anyone in need, and that he surely did. Most of his children’s friends considered him and Nancy to be second parents, who welcomed them into the house any time day or night. Peacefulness and caring permeated him, and kindness felt like it was his middle name. Anyone who knew Charlie knew that he was the most loving husband, father, uncle, brother and son a family could ask for. He shared this same love with his community of friends, professionals, and acquaintances spanning around the globe.
We’d like to give a heartfelt thank you to our three superheroes; Syerra who has been helping Charlie and Nancy since November 2020 when they first moved into Dirigo Pines, as well as Maddie & Jessi. They all loved him and helped both he and Nancy navigate living in their twilight years in a new environment in the kindest, most loving and respectful manner. They have become a cherished a part of Charlie’s family. We’d also like to thank the staff at Woodlands Senior Living Center in Brewer, and the Genitiva hospice nurses, Melissa and Pam for their wonderful care.
A joint celebration of life with his love Nancy will take place at a later date, but in the next few days please say a prayer for her and the family, and take a moment to reflect on how Charlie touched your life.
Those who worked and studied at the University of Maine in Orono from 1962-1996 knew him best as Dr. Charles Grant, where he served as a psychologist after earning his PhD with honors at SUNY Buffalo. Dr. Grant was instrumental in building the Mental Health Clinic into the fully accredited University Counseling Center, which he was the director of for many years. After retirement, he continued counseling at various places well into his seventies. He especially enjoyed visiting Dirigo Pines residents, helping them through long chats and kind words.
Charlie lived life to its fullest, always displaying a contagious smile that lit up his face and the faces of those around him. He was almost always seen with the love of his life, Nancy, married just shy of 64 years! They were an amazing team, raising four children and enjoying their 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren as well as being AFS host parents to a multitude of students over the span of 43 years. He treated each like they were his own and was 85 when they hosted their last student! He and Nancy volunteered tirelessly with AFS and in 2019 they were nominated and won the NEWS CENTER Maine 2 Those Who Care Award. Charlie and Nancy also opened their home to many others as well, serving as a host family to many University of Maine International Students, and other international students looking a chance to spend some time in the United States. They never said no to anyone seeking a place to stay!
They attended the Orono United Methodist Church and led the junior high MYF group for many years. Charlie also served on the board of the United Methodist Conference Home.
Charlie enjoyed all of his children’s and grandchildren’s endeavors, rarely missing the opportunity to attend their pursuits; from driving his son Eric to hockey practices, often before the sun came up, meticulously keeping his own scorebook for every one of daughter Karen’s basketball games, attending Gretchen’s dance recitals and concerts and Jen’s field hockey games as well as school plays, and boy scout and girl scout activities. He supported his grandchildren in the same fashion, rarely missing hockey games and track meets. He also enjoyed their concerts, plays, dance recitals, skating competitions, recreational baseball and soccer games and other important events. To say he was proud of their accomplishments is an understatement!!
Charlie’s love of babies was unmatched, and he was never happier than when surrounded by the chaos only small children create! He was a book reading, game playing, boo-boo soothing, floor pacing, rocking chair rocker, calm, patient, generous and loving parent and grandparent, and we all basked in his love. He taught all of his children to become strong, independent thinkers, inquisitive, creative students, kind, compassionate friends, and caring, thoughtful siblings which in turn created loving, responsible and helpful adults.
Charlie’s other passions were woodworking and cars. In 1968 he designed and built the family camp on the ocean where so many amazing hours have been spent over the last 54 years boating in his beloved lobster boat, playing on the rocks, sailing small boats and large hand built rafts, digging for clams, picking blueberries, and walking the dirt roads. A highlight of each summer at camp was the celebration of his and Nancy’s August birthdays with a huge lobster feed for the whole family. He also built furniture for his wife and made each of his daughters beautiful doll houses and cedar chests, among many other lovingly crafted items.
Cars were his other passion. Over the years he was the proud owner of many antique cars, driving his last, a Ford Model T back and forth to work at the University. As far as the family car, Charlie rarely ever drove the same one for more than two years. He loved the hunt for new automobiles, and once was even asked to leave a dealership when his insistence that a better deal could be had was met with resistance. He did, of course, buy the car for the price he wanted at another dealership!
He will be missed tremendously by his wife Nancy; children Eric Grant, Karen Frazell, Gretchen Casey and Jennifer Tower; their spouses Suzanne, Dan, Scott and Brian; his grandchildren Kaitlin, Justin (Lisa), Brian (Ashley), Nicholas (Amelia), Jennie, Orion (Andrea), Corey, Ryan (Brianne), Shawn (Kailee) and Cam and his great-grandchildren Alyx, Jude, Luca, Aly, Keller, Brylee, Brooke and Benjamin. His beloved siblings, twin brother James, younger brother Frank and little sister Grace and his many in-laws, nieces and nephews will miss him dearly. He is predeceased by his parents Alma and Willis Grant of Orrington, ME.
Charlie had a passion for family and friends. He made the time to show up for everyone who reached out, always providing caring, trustworthy, and sound counsel. He simply wanted to brighten lives in his days on this earth and help anyone in need, and that he surely did. Most of his children’s friends considered him and Nancy to be second parents, who welcomed them into the house any time day or night. Peacefulness and caring permeated him, and kindness felt like it was his middle name. Anyone who knew Charlie knew that he was the most loving husband, father, uncle, brother and son a family could ask for. He shared this same love with his community of friends, professionals, and acquaintances spanning around the globe.
We’d like to give a heartfelt thank you to our three superheroes; Syerra who has been helping Charlie and Nancy since November 2020 when they first moved into Dirigo Pines, as well as Maddie & Jessi. They all loved him and helped both he and Nancy navigate living in their twilight years in a new environment in the kindest, most loving and respectful manner. They have become a cherished a part of Charlie’s family. We’d also like to thank the staff at Woodlands Senior Living Center in Brewer, and the Genitiva hospice nurses, Melissa and Pam for their wonderful care.
A joint celebration of life with his love Nancy will take place at a later date, but in the next few days please say a prayer for her and the family, and take a moment to reflect on how Charlie touched your life.