Obituary of Louis J. Granato

Louis J. Granato, Sr. , age 81, died of heart failure on Friday, June 2, 2017 with his wife at his side. Louis is survived by his wife of 58 years, Nancy (née Gock); his son and daughter-in-law, Louis J. Granato, Jr. & Theresa; his daughter and son-in-law, Suzanne Granato-Castro & S. Mauricio; his eight grandchildren: Louis J. III, Margaret, Catherine, Stephen, Theresa, Doménica, Mary, & Anthony. Also surviving Louis are his brother and sister-in-law, Joseph Granato and Jane. Born at 25 S. Lake Street in Glassboro, NJ, on August 12, 1935 to very humble beginnings, Lou went on to excel in school from a young age. He attended Academy Street School, St. Bridget's Parochial School, and graduated from Glassboro High School in 1953. In high school he was President of the Student Council, selected for NJ Boys State, and was co-editor of his Senior yearbook. Lou worked multiple jobs to finance his college education at Rutgers Camden, graduating in 1958 with a B.S. in Mathematics. He was elected President of his college class four years in a row and also was the Editor of his college yearbook. Lou joined the NJ National Guard in June 1958 and went on active duty in September of the same year at Fort Dix. After his discharge in 1959, Lou was hired by IBM, where he would work as a highly-regarded Systems Engineer for over 32 years. Louis and Nancy were also married in 1959--on November 21. Lou was President of the Pitman Kiwanis Club, Council #6247, the first Grand Knight of Our Lady Queen of Peace's Knights of Columbus, on the Board at Brookside Pool, Treasurer of Pitman's Garden Club, and volunteered yearly at the AARP tax assistance center and the Ronald McDonald House. He was one of the founders of the ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out) weekly breakfast club. Lou was a very intelligent, hard-working, strong, and loving man. He enjoyed cooking, especially spaghetti and meatballs on Sundays. Lou loved trains, old Westerns, driving his Mercedes, dining at his favorite restaurants, and dancing with Nancy. He was known for his large vegetable garden, strong opinions, and generosity. Lou will be dearly missed by his many friends and family. A Celebration of Life mass will be held at Mary Mother of Mercy Parish, Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Pitman on Friday, June 23 at 11 am. Visitation from 10 am to 11 am at the same location. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org).