John M Granato

John Michael Granato passed peacefully of natural causes on February 16, 2016. He was born in Portland, OR on September 8, 1921, the sixth of ten children. At ninety-four years young, John was the last surviving child of Mary and Vincent Granato, originally from Cosenza, Italy. After graduating Lincoln High School, he played for semi-pro baseball teams in the Silverton/Portland areas. In his twenties, John served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard, later becoming a commercial real estate broker.

He then married Jeanne Zollner and had three children, Michael, Nancy and Karen. Later in life John married Celeste Brendan and for thirty-eight happy years, they have been loving and devoted to each other.

John enjoyed baseball as he was a Red Sox and Yankee fan. He was an avid golfer and continued to golf with his family until the last seven months of his life. He was a committed father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He attended many Friday morning breakfasts, birthday dinners and family events. He was a ‘man’s man’ as he would say of his friends. He continued lifelong relationships with the men he golfed with, making home-made sausage, attending Old Timers baseball banquets, OSU football games, or just stopping with them for a highball.

John was a charming and personable man. People were drawn to him and just wanted to hang out with him. This included his daughters’ friends and co-workers because he took a real interest in their lives. He was a loving adult where many didn’t have family that welcomed them with hugs. He was ‘Pals’ with his grandsons and adored by his great-granddaughters who loved to love on him each and every time they saw him.

John is survived by his loving wife Celeste, his daughters Nancy Miller and Karen Granato, grandsons Damon Miller and Darrelle Miller, son-in-law David Miller, daughter-in-law Georgia Granato, grand daughter-in-law Monique Miller, and granddaughter Andreana Scott. He was preceded in death by his only son Michael Granato in 2008. Also surviving are great granddaughters Mi’Keyta, Tamia, Ammarah, Brooke, Maliyah and Alayah. He is survived by nephews Danny and Clint and nieces Lorraine, Sandy and Gay, not forgetting life-long friend Barney Giansante.

Sweetheart, Pops, Dad, Gramps, Pal, Johnny, loved and was well loved by all who knew him. We will miss him and feel blessed to have enjoyed his full and long life. We are comforted by knowing he is with the Lord our God and will continue watching over us. His spirit remains in all of us he touched.