AUBURN — Irving Grant, founder of Grant’s Bakery and man about town, passed away on Saturday, leaving a legacy of business and community involvement.
Grant was surrounded by loving family, including his sons, grandchildren and third wife, Opal Duchette.
Grant may be most well known for co-founding Grant’s Bakery, now on Sabattus Street, a Lewiston institution that’s been around since 1956. The store’s original location was below Grant’s family home on College Street, which he ran with his first wife, Betty Brown.
Grant volunteered much of his time to the Lewiston-Auburn area as well as other areas of the country.
He first served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific Theater. He was a member of Ashlar Lodge No. 105, Lewiston Lodge of Perfection, Auburn Council of Princess Jerusalem, H.H. Dickey Chapter of Rose Croix, Maine Consistory, Kora Temple order of the Mystic Shrine and Kora Arab Patrol.
Grant was also 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 served in many capacities, including public supper chairman for over 10 years, and co-chairman of the annual lobster roll luncheon for 14 years. Grant also volunteered with Calvary to help build houses through Habitat for Humanity.
Additionally, 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.
Grant was also well respected by the community, old and young alike. The time and energy he put in to helping others was not overlooked.
Jan Biron, a member of the First Auburn Senior Citizens, wrote a touching condolence to Grant. “On behalf of (the board), I want to express our sincere condolences on the loss of Irving. He was a cherished member of our seniors group and we will miss him.”
Pam Carrier also expressed her gratitude for having known Grant. “I had the pleasure of knowing your father for over 15 years,” she said. “I first met him at Robin Dow Seniors where we worked on several committees. He always was a gentleman and fun to be with. Since I’m much younger, I always respected him.”
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