ALMOND - Karl L. Grantier, 83, of Main St., passed away on
Tuesday (April 23, 2019) at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. Born in Mt. Kisco,
NY, November 15, 1935, Karl was adopted by Juluis “Slim” W. and Hallie (Lee)
Grantier when he was 10 months old, he had resided in Almond, NY most of his
life. Karl was a graduate of Alfred Almond Central School District, class of
1955. After graduation Karl enlisted in the U.S. Airforce. During his time in
the Airforce Karl suffered from 3rd Degree burn on 37% of his body during an
accidental fire on the flight line on October 29, 1957 at Moody Airforce Base,
Valdosta, Georgia; after which he spent 10 months in the hospital Lackland
Airforce base in San Antonio, Texas. Karl was placed on the temporary retired
list for a year and a half and then was honorably discharged from the Air Force
on March 31, 1960 with 70% disability. Karl was upgraded to 100% disability on
July of 2012. Karl met Judy just before Christmas of 1959 and they were married
on December 18, 1961. Karl was employed by Rogers Machine Works in Alfred and
Worthington in Wellsville. He drove Tractor Trailer for different companies for
14 years, he drove bus for Alfred State College (ACES) for 11 years and most
recently owned and operated KLG Trucking from 1992 until his retirement in
2015.
Karl was the
Commander of the Alfred Post 370 American Legion for the past 22 years, a
member of the AMVETS in Cuba, Sampson Airforce Base Vets Association, where he
served the 1st president, and was a member of the committee to establish the
National Cemetery at Sampson. He is a former member of the Moose, Eagles and
the OES Kanakadea-McArthur Chapter. He was a member of the Alfred-Almond Alumni
Association board of directors. In 2004 Karl undertook a 10-year project to
recognize all Alfred-Almond Central School Veterans. Today, nine handsome
walnut plaques bearing the names of nearly 500 alumni are located in the Alumni
Hallway. Also displayed on special plaques are the names of 27 AACS veterans
who received heroic medals in the line of duty. Karl’s decades-long passion for
the care and recognition of veterans also motivated him to introduce to Almond,
the Hometown Heroes Banner project, whereby he urged the Almond residents to
sponsor large banners for their veteran friends and family. To date, during the
spring and summer months, there are more than 100 banners which line Main
Street and other roads in the Town of Almond, honoring the service of local
veterans. Karl was also a Member of the Almond Volunteer Fire Department for
over 50 years. He was predeceased by his parents, his mother-in-law; Dorothy Sniffen, sister-in-law Bonnie (Sniffen) VanDuser.
He is survived by his wife Judith A. (Sniffen) Grantier of Almond, 2 sons; Timothy Grantier of Almond and Jeffrey (Christina Dobson) of Almond, 3 grandchildren; Marcus Grantier, Daniel (colleen McInture) Dobson and Ashley (Jeffery) Carl, 5 great grandchildren, sister-in-law; Pamela Sniffen of Hornell, and a brother-in-law; Donald VanDuser of Florida, a niece; Christine (David) Stewart and a great niece; Tristan Steward.
To send a remembrance to the family, please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com, or on Facebook @brownpowersfh. The family is being assisted by David W. Ames, Director.
The family will be
present on Saturday (April 27, 2019) from 1-3 p.m., at the Bender - Brown &
Powers Funeral Home, 354 Canisteo St, Hornell. Funeral services will be held
immediately following calling hours at 3 p.m. at the funeral home, Rev. Charles
Emerson officiating. Burial will be in Sampson AFB Cemetery.
Friends may make
memorial contributions to: Almond Union of Churches or Almond Historical Society.
