Allan Francis Gramando

“Al” or “Big Al” as he was known, was born on December 12, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York to Louis and Kathleen Gramando. He was the oldest of three children. He married Kristin Williams Gramando in 1976.

While serving in the US Army, Al had positions as a helicopter maintenance mechanic, an instructor in many units, 82nd Airborne Division, helicopter pilot and as a rigger with Special Forces. As a helicopter pilot he was shot down twice in Vietnam, the second time with lasting back issues. With Special Forces he traveled all over the Far East. He earned a Bachelors Degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1977.

His Army medals include Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal 10 Awards, Army Commendation Medal 2 Awards, Good Conduct Medal 3 Awards, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Media, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. His badges include Senior Aviator, Master Parachute, Aircraft Crewman. He also received the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm 2 Awards and Meritorious Citation.

Throughout his life, he had many passions. His first was music. He was a drummer in high school and then played professionally in New York in house bands. While there, he once played with Johnny and the Hurricanes. He had his own bands in the early years of his army career and once when performing in Tucson, his band opened for The Who. Even in his last few years, he loved sitting outside at night, smoking a cigar, drinking scotch and listening to his favorite rocking blues music.

Skydiving was his next passion. He learned to jump in 1963 in Vietnam and continued to jump until 2008. It was while he was the commanding officer of the 82nd Airborne Division Army Parachute Team that he met his wife in Saratoga Springs, New York. In addition to being a lifetime member of the US Parachute Assn, and achieving D3433 with over 3400 jumps, while in the Army he also earned both the Thai and Korean parachute wings.

From 1984 to 1996, he and Kristin owned their own skydiving business in Chambersburg PA. One year they had the opportunity to skydive for a week in St Petersburg, Russia. From 2000-2006 he was the General Manager at Skydive Arizona.

For the last 23 years, Al and Kristin were passionate about Toastmasters. They helped charter Signal Peak Toastmasters in Casa Grande as well as 12 other clubs throughout Phoenix, Tucson and places in between. He held many positions throughout the state and formed many lasting friendships.

Besides being the administrator of the Sunland Ranches HOA in Arizona City for the last 17 years, Al was a lifetime member of both the VFW and the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Assn Chapter 32-6 in Casa Grande. He was the current CVMA Executive Officer.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Robert. He is survived by his wife, Kristin, his sister Jackie Nelson, his son, Joseph (Kat), granddaughters Joirdana and Mackenzie, grandson Dylan, great-granddaughter Adrianna, and great-grandsons Keelyn and Rowen.

Celebration of Life services will be at 10am on Friday, May 23, at J Warren Funeral Services, Casa Grande, followed by a reception at The Gardens. Scattering of his remains will take place the next day at 10am at Skydive Arizona in Eloy. In lieu of flowers please consider a monetary gift to the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapter 32-6 in Casa Grande AZ. Their motto is “Veterans Helping Veterans”.