LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of John T. Grant, Rockland
County's first County Executive

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to mourn publicly the
death of cherished citizens of the State of New York who served the
citizens of their community with exemplary dedication and conscientious
service; and
WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow this Legislative Body records the
passing of John T. Grant, a lifelong resident of North Rockland and
Rockland County's first County Executive, on May 8, 2010, at the age of
78 following a long illness, noting the loss of a citizen whose purpose-
ful life and endeavors contributed so much to the enrichment of his
community; and
WHEREAS, The son of Hugh and Helen Scarff Grant, John T. Grant was
born in Thiells, New York, on March 11, 1932, and graduated from Haver-
straw High School in 1949; and
WHEREAS, John Grant began his distinguished career in public service
in 1963 when he was elected to a seat on the Haverstraw Town Board; he
was reelected in 1967 and served as both Police Commissioner and Deputy
Supervisor for his hometown; in 1969, he was elected to the first Rock-
land County Legislature and went on to win four more consecutive terns
as a County Legislator and to serve as Chairman of the Legislature for
five terms; and
WHEREAS, In 1985, John Grant was elected Rockland's first County Exec-
utive, serving two terms and setting a standard for others to follow; in
1985, he was elected President of the New York State Association of
Counties; he served, as well, as President of the New York State County
Executives Association in 1991 and 1992; and, in addition to his many
accomplishments as County Executive, he was justly proud of overseeing
the creation of the County Executive Arts Awards, an annual event recog-
nizing the talents and achievements of the county's artists; and
WHEREAS, Prior to becoming Rockland's County Executive, John Grant
spent 30 years in the banking industry; he began working for Haverstraw
Bank and Trust in 1954 and, in 1985, he retired as Assistant Vice Presi-
dent of Chemical Bank to assume the position of County Executive; and
WHEREAS, A veteran of the Korean War, John Grant was a member of the
Marine Corps League and the longest tenured Commander of Leo Ladders
American Legion Post 130; he was a co-founder of the North Rockland
Midget Football Association and the Thiells-Roseville Fire District and
was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, the
Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the David B. Roche Fire Company; and
WHEREAS, He was also a proud honorary member of the North Rockland
Rotary Club and the West Haverstraw Senior Citizen's Club; he remained
active in his retirement as a volunteer with a number of organizations;
in 2001 he served as Chairman for United Hospice of Rockland's (UHR)
capital campaign; he served, in addition, as UHR's Chairman of the Board
for several years; and .
WHEREAS, Following the tragedy of 9/11, he was appointed by the United
Way to sit on the board of Rockland County's Survivor's Fund, helping to
distribute financial aid to families living in Rockland County; the fund
helped not only victims' families, it also helped other Rockland fami-
lies who suffered financial difficulties as a direct result of the
attacks; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his life, John Grant had a deep sense of pride in
his community and its people, but his greatest joy was the pride he took
in his 15 grandchildren and could often be found at the Haverstraw

Little League, on the sidelines of a basketball game, or in the audience
of a drama production or concert; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his wife of 42 years, Mary Zippilli Grant,
John Grant was predeceased by his parents and his brother Patrick
(Larry) Grant; he is survived by his six children, Stephen Grant, Micha-
el and his wife Cathy Grant, Mary Ellen Grant, John K. and his wife
Jennifer Grant, and Kimberly and her husband Martin Ancin, and Christine
and her husband Michael McGovern; his grandchildren, Adam and Caitlin
Grant; Sarah and Ryan Cartee; John Michael, Alexandra, Christopher, and
Emily Grant; Michael, Olivia, Elizabeth, and Lucas Ancin; and Reagan,
Delaney and Cooper McGovern; his in-laws: Rita Yonskie, Rosemarie and
Ray Pisano, Margaret Zippilli, Patty Zippilli, Jeanne Zippilli and Joyce
Faguzzi; his many nieces and nephews; and a legion of friends,
colleagues and admirers who will long treasure his memory; and
WHEREAS, Over his meritorious life, John Grant distinguished himself
as a man of values and commitment and of sincere dedication and substan-
tial contribution; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay
tribute to the memory of John T. Grant, to celebrate his life, and to
applaud his many accomplishments that future generations may know and
appreciate his admirable character and the esteem in which he was held;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of John T. Grant.