Grant H Rawding

Grant was born on January 14, 1932 in Dedham, Massachusetts to his parents, Grant and Marguerite Rawding joining his sister Thelma and brother Lou. Grant graduated from Dedham High School, served as a tank commander in Germany, and then attended and graduated from the University of Massachusetts.

After college Grant settled in Connecticut, joined IBM and enjoyed a successful and rewarding career while raising a wonderful family. Retirement included 10 years sailing throughout South and Central America as well as 6 summers exploring France by canal boat ultimately settling in Stuart Florida. Along the way Grant developed many lifelong friendships.

During his years in Connecticut Grant was an active member and Commodore of Baldwin Yacht Club, Eastern Connecticut Yacht Racing Association, and Shennecossett Yacht Club. In Stuart Grant served as Commodore of Coconut Point Yacht club and as a board member and President of Circle Bay Yacht Club. Grant was strong, smart, honest, ethical, and a leader in every sense of the word. These traits along with his commitment to his wife, family, and friends were on display throughout his life and career.

The love of Grant’s life was clearly his wife Lorraine, who he met in Hyannis when they were in their early 20s and the love affair continued for nearly 64 years. The love of both Grant and Lorraine’s lives was their children, Debbi, Lisa, Grant, and Grant Jr who passed away at 1 month and Brian who passed away at 16 years of age. Grant’s lifelong passion was sailing, and he shared and used sailing as a bond between his family and friends.

Grants’ children remember a magical childhood spent racing and cruising the New England coastline in the summer and skiing in Vermont in the winter. Grant’s strength was always there to help them navigate life.

Grant’s three grandchildren will remember “Grampa” for his sarcastic wit, intelligence, and love of adventure. Grampa was an unconventional grandfather and visiting him involved once-in-a-lifetime-adventures like exploring reefs off the coast of Panama and visiting villages on French canals. They will never forget experiences like learning constellations from the cockpit of his boat and line dancing with distant cousins in pubs. From a young age he instilled in them his patriotic values. They will miss his never-ending “back-in-the-day” stories, humor, and of course his unmistakable soft spot for his granddaughter (he seemed fond of the other two as well). Last Christmas his grandchildren were grateful for the opportunity to introduce him to his first great grandchild, Quinn. At nine months old, she is already taking after her great grandfather with her love of adventure and exceptional height!

Grant is survived by his wife, Lorraine, his three surviving children, Debbi Phillips, Lisa Rawding, and Grant M Rawding, his son-in-law Dan Phillips, his three grandchildren, Jeffrey Phillips, Matthew Phillips, Morgan Phillips, and his great granddaughter Quinn Ann Phillips.

Services to be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Doctors Without Borders or Mystic Seaport Museum on his behalf.

Mystic Seaport donations may be mailed to:

Mystic Seaport

75 Greenmanville Avenue

Mystic, CT 06355

Please make checks payable to Mystic Seaport Museum and add Grant H. Rawding to the memo line to capture this as a tribute donation.