Richard J. Grant

He was born on December 5, 1942, in Franklin, the son of Charles and Marion (Banks) Grant.

Richard graduated from Franklin Central School in 1961, and from Cornell University in 1965. He then graduated from Navy Officer Candidate School in 1967, and served in Vietnam until 1969. He married Thuy (Linda) Ly in 1969 in Chu Lai, and they had two children David and Lori. Linda passed in 2019.

Richard was born into a family with many generations of farmers and grew up on his family’s dairy farm in Franklin. He spent most of his life involved in farming. After his father and brother Gary retired from farming, Richard was determined to carry on the legacy and, with his son David, restarted Grantson Farm. Richard spent countless, happy and tiring hours working on the farm with David and later also daughter-in-law Laurie. He was a blessing and support to David in helping the farm grow strong, and Richard was blessed to eventually see both his grandsons, Alex and Andrew carry on the legacy.

After serving in Vietnam, Richard was a manager for Victory Markets. He then pursued a life of public service in the Delaware County Personnel Office, including serving as the Personnel Director from 1977 until his retirement in 2001.

Richard was a strong and caring man, with a deep love for his family and friends. He frequently reminisced about his fondest days of fishing with his grandfather George Banks and playing cards with George and cousin Ralph “Juni” Sitts. He’d laugh when telling about the time he and friend Richard Heaney, as teens, used a can opener to turn an old car into a convertible and the times cousin Georgetta (Sitts) Skovsende would be the target of Juni’s and his pranks.

Richard is survived by his beloved companion Gloria Robinson; his children, David Grant (Laurie), and Lori Jennings (Randall); grandchildren, Alexander Grant, Andrew Grant (Tori), and Emme and Evangeline Jennings; brother, Gary Grant (Cindy); nieces and nephews, Kimberly and Kevin Place, James Thomas IV, Brian Craig, Stephanie, Geoffrey and Taylor Grant, and Michael Driggs.

He was predeceased by his parents and sisters Barbara Grant, Joan Place (Ralph), and Patricia Driggs (Fred).

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, August 8th, 2026, 10-11 a.m. at Grummons-Bookhout-Bennett Funeral Home in Oneonta. Memorial service to begin at 11:00 a.m, with the Rev. Mr. Paul Cerosaletti officiating. Interment, with military honors, will be in Ouleout Valley Cemetery in Franklin. Reception in North Franklin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Franklin Fire Department or the Franklin Emergency Squad.