Thomas B. Grant

Aug. 9, 1919 – May 29, 2004

Thomas B. Grant, 84, of River Park in South Bend, Ind., died in Saint Joseph Medical Center on Saturday, May 29. He was born on Aug.9, 1919, in South Bend. Tom was preceded in death by Ann (Ralph) Grant, his beloved wife of 48 years; his parents, Thomas B. “Bert” and Emma (Zilkey) Grant; sisters, Mary Geary, Virginia Quigley and Marge Studenroth; and brothers, John and Louis.

Tom is survived by his five daughters, Debi Grant-Smith of Apple Valley, Minn., Karen Grant of Tampa, Fla., Michele Grant of Apply Valley, Patti Grant- Spychalski of Granger, Ind., and Tammy (Kevin) Alstott of South Bend; and grandchildren, Thomas Fielder Jr.of St.Paul, Minn., Nina Galbraith of Tampa, and Jessica and Alyssa Alstott of South Bend. Also surviving are nephews, Al Quigley Jr.of Mishawaka, Ind., DeVon Smith of Wakarusa, Ind., Bob Grant of South Bend, and Mike, Rick and Terry Grant, all of South Bend. A sister, Kathryn Smith of Bremen, Ind.; a brother, Richard (Lila) of South Bend; and brother-in-law, Jim Ralph of South Bend, also survive him.

Tom was a lifelong resident of South Bend and was fondly known for his love of Notre Dame football tailgating, his amazing cooking talents and Red Pop, his own creation. He served in World War II as a Sergeant in the U.S.Army from 1941 to 1945.He joined the South Bend police department in 1947, protecting the community for over 20 years.He continued his police career by working with the police pension board for 15 years, by being an active participant on the police wage committee, and later volunteered with the SBPD’s traffic division. Because of the vast and varied number of occupations he held, including setting off fireworks displays, driving RVs, to catering, and working at the General Motors Zone office for eight years, coupled with his outgoing personality, you would think that he knew everyone in South Bend. His connection with his Riley High School friends was a very important and happy part of his life.

He headed up the Riley Class of ‘38 activities for over 50 years, and spearheaded the Riley Over- the-Hill gang for 11 years. His love of his community gave him the unofficial title of mayor of River Park for many years, working on the River Park Neighborhood Association as president for one year and on the board for three years.He was parade marshal of the River Park parade in 2000, where he received the Key to the City. A very special thanks to Comfort Keepers (especially Al Brooks and Debbie Marchesi), Meals on Wheels and Clint Overmyer, whose help and support let him stay in the house he built for over 50 years ago, until his passing.

The family will receive friends today, May 31, from 2 to 4 p.m.and 6 to 8 p.m.in the Hickey Funeral Home, 3516 E.Jefferson Blvd. Reverend Donald Neely will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 1, in the funeral home with the burial at Riverview Cemetery in South Bend.

Source: Newspapers.com

12/28/2024 EJS