Name John Grant | Died May 8, 2010 | |
Role Rockland County politician | ||
John T. Grant (March 11, 1932 – May 8, 2010) was a former member of the Rockland County Legislature and served as the first County Executive of Rockland County, New York from 1986 through 1993. He was a Democrat.
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Early life and education
Grant was born in Thiells on March 11, 1932 to Helen Scarff and Hugh Grant. Grant was a lifelong resident of North Rockland. He graduated from Haverstraw High School in 1949. In 1960, Grant was a founding member and president of the Young Dems in Rockland County, helping John F. Kennedy in his bid for the presidency.
Political career
Grant began his own career in public service in 1963, winning 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, Grant was elected to the first Rockland County Legislature and went on to win four more consecutive terms as county legislator, serving as Chairman of the Legislature for five terms. In 1985, Grant was elected Rockland's first county executive, serving two terms. During the same year, he was also elected president of the NYS Association of Counties, and served as president of the NYS County Executives Association in 1991 and 1992. Grant also oversaw the creation of the County Executive Arts Awards, an annual event recognizing the talents and achievements of the county's artists. In 1993, Grant was defeated in his bid for a third term as county executive by the current Rockland County Executive, C. Scott Vanderhoef.
Personal life
On Nov. 13, 1954, Grant married Mary Zippilli at St. Augustine's Church in New City and together they had six children and 15 grandchildren. His wife predeceased him in March 1997. One of his sons, Michael M. Grant, is currently Chairman of the Budget & Finance Committee and previously served as the Majority Leader of the Rockland County Legislature. Prior to becoming Rockland's County Executive, Grant spent 30 years in the banking industry, starting with Haverstraw Bank and Trust in 1954. In 1985 he retired as Assistant Vice President, Chemical Bank, to assume the position of county executive. A veteran of the Korean War, he 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. He was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the David B. Roche Fire Company. He was also an honorary member of the North Rockland Rotary Club and the West Haverstraw Senior Citizen's Club. Grant remained active into his retirement as a volunteer with a number of not for profit organizations. In 2001, Grant served as chairman for United Hospice of Rockland's capital campaign, helping to raise over $1 million for their new building and also served as Chairman of the Board for several years. Following the tragedy of 9/11, Grant was appointed by the United Way to sit on 'Rockland County's Survivor's Fund.' helping to distribute financial aid to families living in Rockland County. The fund helped not only victims' families, but it also helped other Rockland families who suffered financial difficulties as a direct result of the attacks.
Death
After a long illness, Grant died on May 8, 2010 at the age of 78.