LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Dr. William A. Grattan,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, A life-long resident of the Capital Region, Dr. William A.
Grattan died on Saturday, February 15, 2014, at the age of 88; and
WHEREAS, William Anthony Grattan was born on May 28, 1925, in Albany,
New York; the son of Thomas and Martha Grattan, he was the youngest of
five children; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from Vincentian Institute in 1941, William
Grattan served his country as a member of the United States Army Air
Force, ably performing his duties as second lieutenant navigator; he
then attended Union College, graduating in 1949; and
WHEREAS, In 1953, William Grattan received his medical degree from
Cornell Medical College, and was chief resident of pediatrics at the
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; he returned to the Capital region
and opened his pediatric medical practice which thrived for over 20
years; and
WHEREAS, During those years he traveled extensively, particularly in
Europe, where he honed his skills in French and German; in 1970, on a
trip to Davos, Switzerland, he met Christine Demmer of Aachen, Germany,
during a ski class; following a whirlwind romance, they were married in
July of the same year; and
WHEREAS, Dr. William Grattan and his wife, Christine purchased a farm
in Waterford, New York in 1972, beginning an over 40 year love affair
with farming; he developed a hay business, tended to an extensive garden
and raised beef cattle, while conducting his medical practice; and
WHEREAS, In 1981, Dr. William A. Grattan was appointed Health Commis-
sioner of Albany County, serving in that position for more than a
decade; during his tenure at the health department, he was a leader in
developing smoking cessation programs and worked tirelessly for lead
paint abatement in buildings throughout the county; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable physician was also appointed by Governor
Mario Cuomo as a member of the Maternal Child Block Grant Advisory
Board, a small group of physicians charged with allocating millions to
programs for mothers and children across the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Following his time at the Health Department, Dr. William A.
Grattan served as the Chief Medical Officer for Seton Health in Troy; he
continued to see pediatric patients while serving as an administrator;
and
WHEREAS, In 2004, he returned to his roots and opened a pediatric
practice in Cohoes, New York, where he remained until his passing; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his illustrious career, Dr. William A.
Grattan taught many medical students and residents and touched the lives
of thousands of patients; he was the recipient of the Dr. Hermann M.
Biggs Memorial Award from the New York State Public Health Association,
as well as the New York State Association of County Health Officials
Career Achievement Award; furthermore, he was a member of several pedia-
tric organizations; and
WHEREAS, Active in his community, this esteemed man served as member
and director of the board of Heritage Artists at Cohoes Music Hall; he
was also a founding board member of the Waterford Historical Society and
played a significant role in saving the Hugh White Homestead, which
still today serves as the museum's home; and

WHEREAS, A devoted husband and father and a dedicated grandfather, Dr.
William A. Grattan is survived by his wife, Christine; three children,
Anna (Kyle), Thomas (David), and Christian; and four grandchildren,
Katarina, Anika, Maximilian and Lukas, as well as several nieces and
nephews; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Dr. William A. Grattan leaves behind a legacy which will
long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory
to all he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Dr. William A. Grattan, distinguished citizen and
devoted member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Dr. William A. Grattan.