Antonio Granados

Antonio Granados of Levittown died peacefully on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at Chandler Hall Hospice in Newtown, PA. He was 94 years old.Tony was born in Riverdale, Maryland, the youngest of 10 children of immigrant parents from Seville, Spain. At age 20 he enlisted in the Navy and trained as a Naval Aviator, electing to graduate as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He served with many different Marine Corps fighter squadrons and was based for a time at the Marine Corps Air Station at Quantico. At the end of WWII he was released from active duty and returned briefly to civilian life. Granados continued his Marine Reserve Duty with Marine Fighter Squadron VMF-451 at NAS Willow Grove, PA. He was recalled to active duty in 1951 and fought in Korea as a fighter pilot, flying 82 combat missions, 30 from the USS Bairoko, an aircraft Carrier on duty in the Sea of Japan. Granados was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, four Air Medals and an assortment of lesser medals and campaign ribbons. He was promoted over the years to Major USMC (Ret.).In March 1946, he married the former Rita Flood of New Hope, PA. Together they had six children and raised them in Levittown. Granados spent his time outside of his military service as an advertising and marketing executive commencing upon graduation from the Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania in 1948.Tony enjoyed a wide variety of intellectual pursuits, but was happiest when engaged in activities that would surround him with family. He was "Uncle Tony" to many, freely offering words of advice, encouragement, and support that took many forms. There are many who credit him for providing the inspiration or "break" they needed to move things forward in their lives.Tony was preceded in death by his wife Rita (Flood) Granados, and is survived by his 6 children and their spouses: Rose Mary Granados Clancy (Charles), Rita Salvatore (Gary), Dr. John Granados (Elaine), Dr. Mary Granados (Derek Lynch), Ramon Granados (Phyllis), and Lizz Cooper (Scott). He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.Relatives and friends are invited to call from 7 until 9 p.m. on Thursday, September 15, 2016 and from 8:30 until 9:30 a.m. on Friday, September 16, 2016 at the James J. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc., 2200 Trenton Rd., Levittown, PA 19056. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, 10 a.m. at Queen of the Universe Church, 2443 Trenton Rd., Levittown, PA 19056. Interment will immediately follow at St. Martin of Tours Cemetery, New Hope, PA.In lieu of flowers, Tony requested memorial contributions be sent to Chandler Hall Hospice, 99 Barclay St., Newtown, PA 18940 or Queen of the Universe Church.