In Memory Of
Albert E. Gran
1940
2021
Albert E. Gran
March 2, 1940 — June 26, 2021
EAST GREENBUSH – Albert "Al" E. Gran, 81, of Albany, after a brave fight with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, went home to the Lord in his sleep in the early hours on Saturday, June 26, 2021, at Evergreen Commons Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
Born in Worcester, NY on March 2, 1940, Al was the son of the late Gustav and Emily Gran.
Al grew up on a dairy farm in Worcester, NY and graduated valedictorian of his class in 1958 from Worcester Central School. He met his wife and mother of his four children while attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he received his B.S. degree in Biology in 1963. Then he enlisted in the USAF, Officer Training School (OTS) at Lackland AFB, Texas. From December 1963 until June 1964, he was assigned, as a 2nd Lieutenant, to serve at Lowry AFB, Denver, CO. In June 1964, he was given a permanent assignment at Seymour Johnson AFB, Goldsboro, NC, where he and his new bride remained until August 1965. At that time, he was assigned to serve as a 1st Lieutenant with the Tactical Air Command (TAC) at Hahn AB, Germany, 50th A&E Maintenance Squadron, supervising the maintenance and repair of the F-104 and F-105 Fighter Planes that were deployed for combat in Vietnam. While at Hahn AB, he was promoted to the rank of Captain and upon completion of his tour of duty in Germany, in 1968, he resigned from the Air Force, joined the management team at Huyck Felt in Rensselaer and settled in Latham, NY with his wife and family.
Al was happiest at the frequent gatherings at his parent's home, with his and his sister's family, near the farm where he grew up. Nothing pleased Al more than these family gatherings with drawn-out meals deliciously prepared by his mother, long walks together out in the countryside, and evening slide shows of family photos. Al's devotion to his community and his children was evident in how he lived. He was involved in many activities at St. Ambrose School and Parish while his children attended primary school.
Years later, Al began the next chapter in his life with Rita Septer in Albany, NY. He loved her children and grandchildren as his own, and took a very active interest in their lives. Al became a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Albany, where he lectored and sang in the choir. He also frequently attended Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Albany, making several new friends there. He was a volunteer at multiple food pantries, the Albany Regional Food Bank, and the Congregation Beth Abraham Jacob Bingo. His devotion to his family, community and neighbors was Al's main joy and was appreciated by so many.
After 32 years together, Al was predeceased by his wife Rita in September 2019. Survivors include his four beloved children from his previous marriage: Michael (Ina) Gran, Richard (Heidi) Gran, Karin (Michael) Gardner, and Theresa Gran-Olekoski, and beloved step-children, Steven (Sherri) Septer, and Tracey Septer. He was the proud grandfather of 12 grandchildren, Cecilia, David and Elisabeth Gran, Kassandra Gran and Tyges (Melanie) Besch, Brendan and Vance Gardner, Roman and Annaleigh Olekoski, David, Maya, and Peyton Septer; great-grandchildren, Jameson Besch and Aiden Vanderlinden. He is also survived by his sister Trudy (Peter) Johnson; two nephews, Dr. Peter (Ron Keeney) Johnson, Charles (Teri) Johnson, and one niece, Dr. Joyce (David) Johnson-Harris; along with many cousins, great-nieces and nephews, all whom he greatly loved and enjoyed being part of all the milestones in their lives. Al made many friends during his lifetime and will be greatly missed by all, especially his dear friend, Louise Carlini.
In keeping with Al's wishes, an outdoor gathering of family and friends for a memorial celebration of his life is being planned, and the details will be announced as soon as they are available. Any questions about the Memorial can be emailed to the family at AlbertEGranMemorial@gmail.com. A private family gathering for the interment will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery in Worcester, NY at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to Memorial Sloane Kettering can be made on http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/AlbertGran.
Born in Worcester, NY on March 2, 1940, Al was the son of the late Gustav and Emily Gran.
Al grew up on a dairy farm in Worcester, NY and graduated valedictorian of his class in 1958 from Worcester Central School. He met his wife and mother of his four children while attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he received his B.S. degree in Biology in 1963. Then he enlisted in the USAF, Officer Training School (OTS) at Lackland AFB, Texas. From December 1963 until June 1964, he was assigned, as a 2nd Lieutenant, to serve at Lowry AFB, Denver, CO. In June 1964, he was given a permanent assignment at Seymour Johnson AFB, Goldsboro, NC, where he and his new bride remained until August 1965. At that time, he was assigned to serve as a 1st Lieutenant with the Tactical Air Command (TAC) at Hahn AB, Germany, 50th A&E Maintenance Squadron, supervising the maintenance and repair of the F-104 and F-105 Fighter Planes that were deployed for combat in Vietnam. While at Hahn AB, he was promoted to the rank of Captain and upon completion of his tour of duty in Germany, in 1968, he resigned from the Air Force, joined the management team at Huyck Felt in Rensselaer and settled in Latham, NY with his wife and family.
Al was happiest at the frequent gatherings at his parent's home, with his and his sister's family, near the farm where he grew up. Nothing pleased Al more than these family gatherings with drawn-out meals deliciously prepared by his mother, long walks together out in the countryside, and evening slide shows of family photos. Al's devotion to his community and his children was evident in how he lived. He was involved in many activities at St. Ambrose School and Parish while his children attended primary school.
Years later, Al began the next chapter in his life with Rita Septer in Albany, NY. He loved her children and grandchildren as his own, and took a very active interest in their lives. Al became a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Albany, where he lectored and sang in the choir. He also frequently attended Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Albany, making several new friends there. He was a volunteer at multiple food pantries, the Albany Regional Food Bank, and the Congregation Beth Abraham Jacob Bingo. His devotion to his family, community and neighbors was Al's main joy and was appreciated by so many.
After 32 years together, Al was predeceased by his wife Rita in September 2019. Survivors include his four beloved children from his previous marriage: Michael (Ina) Gran, Richard (Heidi) Gran, Karin (Michael) Gardner, and Theresa Gran-Olekoski, and beloved step-children, Steven (Sherri) Septer, and Tracey Septer. He was the proud grandfather of 12 grandchildren, Cecilia, David and Elisabeth Gran, Kassandra Gran and Tyges (Melanie) Besch, Brendan and Vance Gardner, Roman and Annaleigh Olekoski, David, Maya, and Peyton Septer; great-grandchildren, Jameson Besch and Aiden Vanderlinden. He is also survived by his sister Trudy (Peter) Johnson; two nephews, Dr. Peter (Ron Keeney) Johnson, Charles (Teri) Johnson, and one niece, Dr. Joyce (David) Johnson-Harris; along with many cousins, great-nieces and nephews, all whom he greatly loved and enjoyed being part of all the milestones in their lives. Al made many friends during his lifetime and will be greatly missed by all, especially his dear friend, Louise Carlini.
In keeping with Al's wishes, an outdoor gathering of family and friends for a memorial celebration of his life is being planned, and the details will be announced as soon as they are available. Any questions about the Memorial can be emailed to the family at AlbertEGranMemorial@gmail.com. A private family gathering for the interment will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery in Worcester, NY at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to Memorial Sloane Kettering can be made on http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/AlbertGran.
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