Clyde & Catherine Grant

Catherine H. Grant

OLD TOWN — Clyde, 78, and Catherine, 76, Grant died March 29, 2019 as a result of a motor vehicle accident. They died, as they lived their lives, by each other’s side. Shammy was born October 2, 1940 in Old Town, a son of Clyde and Theresa (Cavanaugh) Grant. Cathy was born July 6, 1942 in Brooklyn, N.Y. the only child of Evan Joseph Beaulieu and Agnes Mildred (King) Beaulieu. Her mother died when she was two years old and she was raised by her father and grandmother, also Catherine Beaulieu.

Family was the center of life for Shammy and Cathy. They always put others before themselves and would literally travel 1,000 miles to lend a helping hand. They were constant providers, during the best of times as well as the most-challenging times. They enjoyed taking their “Pepe” rides, exploring obscure corners of Maine, or taking longer trips to Boston or Connecticut for lunch and a visit. In 2007, upon retirement, they embarked on a two-month road trip across the United States, visiting family and friends along the way, and including stops in Las Vegas and many casinos in between. They enjoyed the penny slots at Hollywood Casino, most often sitting side by side watching each other play -- with Cathy doing most of the winning. When the children were young, they enjoyed frequent camping trips to Moosehead Lake.

Cathy will be especially remembered for her knitting and quilting. She belonged to various groups that would meet regularly at the Old Town Library (Tuesday) and Orono Public Library (Thursday). She knitted hats, mittens and scarves for various groups in need and recently she and her knitting group sent more than 100 hats, mittens and scarves for children to a mission in the Midwest. She was a member of the Class of 1960, obtained her CNA certificate. Around raising a family, she worked at the University of Maine, and retired with a big smile after 20 years at Eastern Maine Medical Center as a unit secretary and numerous other positions.

Shammy was an avid New York Giants fan and enjoyed talking football with family and friends. He ran the family football pool and every season, getting everyone’s input and picks. After the season he would make sure the winner received the travelling trophy to proudly display. In his younger years he enjoyed hunting and fishing. Shammy was well-involved in his community. He was president of Old Town Little League during the 1970s, was elected to serve on the Old Town School Board and the Old Town City Council -- with the most minimal political campaign possible -- as well as serving on the board of director’s of EMMC Federal Credit Union. A 1958 graduate of Old Town High School, he was then employed by the City of Old Town public works department, the University of Maine, Cianbro, and retired from Eastern Maine Medical Center in 2007 as Director of Environmental Services after 25 years of service.

They are survived by two children: daughter Sharon Simmons and her husband Anthony of East Haven, Connecticut; Joe Grant of Portland; grandsons Kenneth “Shamus” Treadwell of Old Town and Damien Treadwell of Longview, Texas; great grandson Donovan Treadwell; Shammy’s brothers Patrick Grant and his wife Ricki of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Dennis Grant and his wife Barbara of Bradley; many nieces nephews and cousins. They were predeceased by a son, Clyde Jr., in 1981, brothers Martin Grant, Lawrence Grant, and James Cavanaugh, and sisters Jean Branch and Hilda Seymour.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Friday, April 5, 2019 at Holy Family Catholic Church, the same church where nearly 60 years ago - on Aug 29, 1959 - they were united in marriage. Visitation services will be held 4-7 p.m. Thursday April 4, 2019 at Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main St., Old Town. Interment will be at St. Joseph Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions will be set in trust to continue a scholarship at Old Town High School established in 1981 in memory of Clyde D. Grant Jr., adding his parents to the memorial. Donations can be sent to the Grant Family Scholarship, RSU 34, 156 Oak Street, Old Town, ME, 04468.