Grant passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones after a brief, courageous battle with pancreatic cancer Friday November 12, 2021.
Predeceased by his wife, Lois Clayton Wideman, parents Thomas Grant and Mary Ellen Morrow Wideman, aunt Martha Bogart Morrow, uncle James Duff (Rosa) Morrow Jr.
He is survived by his loving partner of 26 years, Estelle Rice, daughter, Hannelore (Devin) Arnold, son, Thomas Grant (Sarah) Wideman, his brothers, William Marion (Suzanne) Wideman, James Stuart (Polly) Wideman. Like a brother-in-law to Holly (John) James. Nieces Michelle (Ron) Hanson, Renee (Joseph) Gamberoni. Nephews Scott William, Christopher James (Catherine) and David Grant (Jackie) Wideman. Grandfather to Hudson Andrew (Payge Sirois) and Seneca Clayton Arnold, Olivia Lois, Madeline Jane and Alexander Grant Wideman. Cousins to Nancy Morrow, Rebecca Morrow (James) Petrie and James Duff (Nancy) Morrow III. Like a father to Dean (Melissa) Brindisi, T.C. Rice, Jesse
(Frankie) Rice, and Papa to Teddy Rice.
Grant was born October 23,1945 in Rochester N.Y. and grew up and lived in Fairport, N.Y for the majority of his life. Around the age of 11, Grant started shooting archery. He was well known for his natural gift, and was awarded the title of New York State champion while in his teens. After graduating from Fairport High School in 1963, Grant took classes at Monroe Community College before enlisting in the Army in 1966.
Grant was in the 4th Armored Division headquarter battery artillery serving in Germany from June 1966 through May 1968. In July 1968, he was deployed to Cu Chi Vietnam as part of HHB 25th Infantry Artillery division, as an Artillery Surveyor. After returning stateside in 1969, he married and began working at various golf courses in the Greater
Rochester area; Green Hills, Thunder Ridge/ Wildwood and Marvin’s /Crooked Pines. He attended night school at Monroe Community College and Rochester Institute of Technology, receiving his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
In 1986 he started working for Monroe County at Genesee Valley park, then as Park Supervisor at Powder Mills Park until retiring from that position in 2002. From there, Grant started his own Deep Tine Aeration business where he specialized in Verti-Drain turf aeration of greens, tees, and athletic fields throughout New York State. He returned
working for Monroe County, at Highland Park as head of Historical Parks in the 2000s on a part-time basis until retiring in the late 2000s.
Grant was a Life Member of the Genesee Valley Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America and marched in many of the Greater Rochester parades and rode with other Vietnam Veterans to Washington DC as part of “Rolling Thunder” many Memorial Days in the 1990s and 2000s.
He was proud of children Lori and T, being “Grandpa Grant” and “Papa” to his grandchildren. He loved riding his Harley with Estelle, and having his friends laugh at his jokes. He loved his family and friends and was proud of them all. His wit, generosity and kind nature will live on in all of the lives he touched.
Grant’s family would like to thank the URMC Hospice team for his care during his illness as well as the staff and residents of The Woodlands for the kindness they extended to Grant, Estelle and their family.
A celebration of Grant’s life will be held on Thursday, November 18th at The Grand View Lodge at Powder Mills Park, 49 Wollston Road, Pittsford, NY starting at 1:00 PM. A memorial tribute will begin around 2:00 PM.
The tribute will be casual, and are encouraging friends and family to share a memory or story about Grant during the tribute.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the Rochester, NY Veterans Administration in memory of Grant.
Comments
10 responses to “Wideman, Grant Morrow”
I am so sorry to hear of Grant’s passing. My deepest condolences to Estelle and all of Grant’s family. I knew Grant for many years through the Tall Club of Rochester. No one could ever say a bad word about Grant and I know he will be missed by everyone that knew him.
I had heard about the Tall Man’s Club ( or whatever it was named ) as i think I saw Grant at a function held by that group…maybe in Fairport somewhere. I joined him….looked around and said….”Everyone here is TALLER than me!!” He said….” Did you read the SIGN, Tim? ” Yep…..I missed it…it was a tall man’s club meeting. He let out his distinctive barrel laugh and I sheepishly slithered out of the room. I had worked with Grant at the Parks Dept. for years and marched with him with the Vietnam Vets, Chapter 20.
I don’t know Grant but I do know his daughter and her family. Hanna (Hannelore) has worked with me for many years in various companies. A person who knows and respects another is bound to know from where that person came. I never met Grant, but I strongly suspect Hanna is a chip off the ol’ block and delightfully so. From the few stories Hanna has been able to share, I see that she gets her great resiliency, love of life, perseverance, and humor from her Dad. He obviously was a good good man. God bless Grant and the entire family. His legacy lives on.
I knew Grant thru The Monroe County Parks Dept. and thru the Vietnam Vets, Chapter 20. A hearty laughhe had and a gentle soul he was. Never had a harsh word about a soul…except for some 2 striper Army drill instructor he had met out in Oklahoma somewhere that he said he’d break in half if he ever saw him again. That became a running joke between us…that and him being on an Army Deuce and a half that was doing circles as it rode down the autobahn in Germany…sliding on the ice. He’ll be greatly missed…the big lug. The biggest teddy bear I ever met in my life. Tim Sturm
I knew Grant for several years as he and I were members of the FingerLakes Association of Golf Course Superintendents. I worked for County Parks and we had an opening for Assistant Golf Superintendent at Genesee Valley. I encouraged Grant to apply, he did and we hired him. Grant was a hard worker and certainly made a difference at Genesee Valley.. I am sorry for your loss, may he Rest In Peace. Jim Johnson.
I worked for/with Grant at ThunderRidge/ Wildwood C.C. in Rush. I put it that way because he would never assign you to something that he wouldn’t pitch in and help, with lot’s of laughs to lighten the load. He was a great guy and became a great friend. My sincere condolences to his family and close friends. RIP Grant Wideman
Grant and I were in the same pool class at the Canandaigua V.A. He was very quiet at first but opened up as he got to know us. He and I shared our love of archery and it turns out that we had competed in many of the same tournaments over the years We shared the same bench in the hall and we would tell stories of our archery accomplishments (Some true others not),when one day he gave me his New York State champion medal. .He said he just wanted me to have it You never know how a , friendship develops, but it does and I will never forget my friend Grant.
I worked alongside Grant with the Monroe County Parks Department and the Finger Lakes Association of Golf Course Superintendents starting when I met him in 1986. He was always as big as the great outdoors, full of life and kindness. I never heard a mean word come from him. We had a few disagreements over personnel that we through the years shared, but in good nature. My best recollection of Grant was when he visited me at Ontario Beach Park to express his condolences following the death of my ex-wife and suicide of my son out in California. He helped my grief and helped me put it in perspective. I didn’t see Grant often last year at Genesee Valley. When he would stop by, I had to stop what I was doing and say hello. Grant was an excellent man. My prayers and condolences to his family and friends.
Grant and Estelle became part of our family when his son Tom married our daughter Sarah in 2001. Once Tom & Sarah enlarged their family we would get to see more and more of them at out mutual grandchildren’s family birthday parties. A very pleasant man he always had a hug for us. We will miss Grant.
Sending our deepest condolences to your family. Grant was one of the kindest people and will be truly missed.