1926 – 2016

AUBURN — Irving Baker Grant, 89, of Auburn passed away Saturday, Jan. 30, in Auburn.

Irving was born on Feb. 26, 1926, in Lewiston, a son of the late Raymon W. and Carrie (Girou) Grant.

He attended Lewiston schools, graduating from Lewiston High School in 1944.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific Theater.

He was married to Elizabeth (Betty) Brown on April 11, 1948. Together they raised four sons, operated the family business, Grant and Grant Caterers, and later co-founded Grant’s Bakery, which is now operated by the second and third generations of the Grant family.

Elizabeth passed away April 22, 1995. Irving later married Charlotte Brackett Martin, who passed away in 2012. On Nov. 24, 2012, he married Opal Duchette and together they lived at Schooner Estates, where they enjoyed making each other happy, going to yard sales, playing cards and building puzzles.

Besides the family business, Irving worked for Greene Acres Manor for 13 years as a cook and facilities director. After his retirement from Grant’s Bakery in 1988, he worked for Roak the Florist, and as a courier for ASI Data Services of Lewiston, finally retiring on April 1, 1996.

He was a member of Ashlar Lodge No. 105, Lewiston Lodge of Perfection, Auburn Council of Princess of Jerusalem, H.H. Dickey Chapter of Rose Croix, Maine Consistory, Kora Temple order of the Mystic Shrine, and Kora Arab Patrol. He was a member of Robin Dow Senior Citizens, where he served as treasurer, and First Auburn Senior Citizens. He is a former member of Calvary United Methodist Church, where he was instrumental in relocating the church from Hammond Street to its current location in the triangle of Sabattus, Bartlett and College streets. He also served in many capacities at Calvary, including public supper chairman for over 10 years, and co-chairman of the annual lobster roll luncheon for 14 years. He worked with other volunteers from Calvary, building two houses in the Woodstock area for Habitat for Humanity. He was a member of The United Methodist Volunteers in Missions and traveled to Moncks Corner, S.C., in 1990 to do relief work after Hurricane Hugo. He later joined The Unity Bible Church, where he was baptized, and he attended when his health allowed.

Irving was especially proud that all four of his sons — and all four of his grandsons — are Eagle Scouts. He was a past member of the troop committee for Boy Scout Troop 111 of Auburn. He was honored to be chosen to go on the first Honor Flight from Maine taking World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., to see their war memorial.

He is survived by his wife, Opal, of Auburn; four sons, Ronald and wife, Sharon, of Greene, Stanley of Leeds, Donald and wife, Laural, of Lisbon, and Stephen and wife, Pamela, of Greene; stepdaughter, Marie Gagne and husband, Marc, of Oxford; daughter-in-law, Sharon Grant of Lewiston; grandchildren, Douglas and wife, Rebecca, of Wales, Jonathan and wife, Bethany, Daniel and wife, Renee, of Auburn, Heather of Leeds, Christopher, Kari and husband, RJ Gagnon, Katie and husband, Andrew James, Nicole and husband, Brandon Flint, of Lewiston; three great-grandchildren; cousins, Alice Ross, and James Brann and wife, Connie, of Auburn; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his sister, Margaret Merrill; and brothers, Raymon Jr., and Benson.

You are invited to offer condolences and pay tribute to Irving’s life by visiting his guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.

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