Benjamin Ellis Grant

Benjamin E. Grant

Holden & Marlboro, Maine

Benjamin (Benjie) passed away peacefully on March 31st at the age of 80. He would tell you he died because his body simply wore out. Born to Ellen & Donald Grant on April 18th, 1945 in Bangor, Maine; he recalls a happy childhood cruising the downtown streets of Bangor on his beloved one speed bicycle. He fondly remembers Dakin's Sporting Goods, F. W. Woolworth and the Surplus Store where the clerks were always very courteous. After school, his home away from was spent at the YMCA as a "Y Leader".

Fortunate to grow up in the family business, Grant's Dairy, Benjie started working part-time at the age of 10. He learned to drive standing up in a Divco milk delivery truck earning $.50/day for 10 hours of work. Never afraid to work, he also shoveled neighbor's steps/driveways for extra money.

Benjie attended Kents Hill School in Kents Hill, Maine having graduated in 1963. Following graduation, he attended Babson Institute located in Wellesley, MA. Looking back, Benjie would tell you that he was not mature enough to attend college and his true focus was to work at Grant's Dairy.

However, before heading back to work the family business, he worked as a bartender in Sugarloaf in the winter of '67 then headed to Bar Harbor in the summer of '68 to tend bar at a number of notable establishments. By the end of summer, Benjie!s mom, Ellen, wrote both her boys a "dear John" letter instructing them to come home to work at the dairy or she!d sell it. Needless to say, both Windy and Benjie arrived home to start their careers at Grant's Dairy. Benjie thrived and continued to grow the business until he sold the business in February of 1994. He always spoke about how fortunate he was to have many great employees and equally important were the farmers who prided themselves in selling the dairy superior quality milk. Both employees and farmers positively contributed to the success of the dairy.

Over the years at the dairy, part of its growth was the result offering high quality dairy products to consumers as well as the acquiring many other Maine dairies - the business grew, inflation factored in, from a $7,500,000.00 business to a $35,000,000.00 annually in sales during Benjie's time with the business.

In 1976, Benjie was extremely fortunate to meet Francine Pelletier, whom he married in1977. Francine was his best friend, his confidant, soul mate, and the love of his life. Married for 48 wonderful years, they thoroughly enjoyed exploring the coast of Maine during the summer months from Criehaven Island to Eastport; delighting in eating outside at many restaurants along the coast.

During winter months, they built many great friendships at Pat's Pizza in Ellsworth.

Benjie assisted Francine in her antique business, first as the "1802 House Antiques" followed by "Country Store Antiques", and finally "Mid-Coast Fine Antiques of Maine" Benjie recognized that Francine was the "boss", as he often said "she was the brains behind the business". Upon Francine's passing in Sept. '24, Benjie kept the antique business open with the great assistance of Di Gray and Paul Crabtree; both major assets, helpful and extremely supportive; professionally and personally.

Benjie was also blessed with a step-daughter, Maureen who over the years became clearly a daughter to Benjie. He supported Maureen in many ways growing up, including her ongoing education and in sports with his "big mouth", yelling at the referees! He was extremely pleased when Maureen joined the dairy - a real positive move for both Benjie and the dairy - she contributed greatly to the dairy's success.

Maureen was blessed with a child, Allie Belanger, who both Benjie and Francine thought the world of. Being grandparents brought much joy; watching Dumbo multiple, multiple times on the VCR, feeding the ducks on N.E. Harbor, lots of summer picnics, and Boston trips over the holidays.

Maureen married Bill Vasquez on 12/18/04. Both Francine and Benjie were extremely pleased to welcome Bill into the family. They both thought the world of Bill. He is certainly a major asset to the family in so many ways. Maureen and Bill have also been an integral part in assisting both Francine and Benjie in their later years with support with financial issues and health issues, which Benjie is very grateful for - a true blessing.

Benjie thought it important that I include three lessons that he lived by:

• treat people as you would like to be treated,

• enjoy life on a daily basis as it is precious and not guaranteed

• don't forget to say "thank you" when someone does something for you

Please join us as we celebrate Benjie!s life from 5pm to 7pm on Thursday, April 9th at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith located at 163 Center Street in Bangor, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to "25 Days of Kindness" and sent to the Holden Town Office located at 570 Main Road, Holden, ME 04429. This non-profit was started by former Holden Police Chief Greeley, assisting Holden residents in need for the 25 days leading up to Christmas.

For those that knew him, you'll get a chuckle that his obit was primarily written by my dad when he was healthy.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com