Charles James "JIM" Grant The town of Peterborough has lost its biggest cheerleader.
On July 26, 2016, Jim Grant, educator, father, grandfather, husband, and humanitarian lost his 5- month battle against mesothelioma, an incurable disease caused by a simple asbestos fiber he inhaled sometime in the past 50 years.
Jim was born in Peterborough on January 26, 1942, son of Marjorie (Dolan) Grant and Bertrice H. Grant. He leaves his wife of 52 years, Lillian (Bull) Grant, son Nathan H. Grant of Peterborough, Caleb A. Grant and wife Annelise of Newburyport, Mass. Beloved grandchildren are Cooper and Bowden Grant and Alaina Marie Morano-Grant of Connecticut. Jean (Grant) Bergeron of Jaffrey is his surviving sibling.He is also survived by his mother-in-law Avis Bull formerly of Stoddard. He adored his nieces and nephews and their children. He loved his cat Freddy also.
He is predeceased by his brother John Grant and infant granddaughter Laura Louise Morano-Grant.
Jim graduated from Peterborough High School and Keene State College with a B.Ed; he furthered his education at Antioch with his M.Ed. He was bestowed an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Franklin Pierce College in Rindge.
To describe Jim’s life would take an entire book, but let it be said that Jim will not be forgotten by the hundreds of people he has touched in so many ways. From his early years as an Eagle Scout till about 2 weeks before he died, he gave of himself to whoever needed help. One of his favorite sayings was “don’t forget where you came from” and always help those who need help, no matter who they are.
He loved Peterborough. His license plate read LUVPBRO. He loved the history, the people, riding around and reminiscing about what was. But he also was a innovator for new and different things to make Peterborough an even better town. He was not opposed to change.
Some of his achievements include starting the Monadnock Worksource in the middle l960s, being an active Peterborough fireman for over 50 years, serving as a chairman of the Salvation Army Unit for Our Town, starting The Sunshine Fund to help local folks with gas cards, food, rides, auto repairs, college books, whatever was needed to happen to help those in need.
Some of the Honors bestowed on him include: Paul Harris Fellow, Monadnock Region Citizen of the Year, St. Florian Fire Fighter of the Year, Keene State College Alumni Achievement Award, Business Leader of the Year, Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, and in May 2016, The Governor Walter Peterson Medal.
Jim’s first job was teaching in Dublin at the elementary school. At the end of the first year, he was promoted to Principal AND 5/6 teacher in Temple School. There he flourished as an advocate for children to succeed no matter what! School readiness was his biggest topic and he published his first book I HATE SCHOOL. Since then he has written or co-written over 30 books, his latest just being released on GRIT.
Jim and Lil started a small conference/seminar business in their home called Jim Grant Associates in l985. On some days there were 12 to 15 people working there. The joke was if the building inspector stopped, everyone grab a mop or broom and start to clean! When JGA grew too rapidly to stay in their home, the company moved to the plaza in North Peterborough, and the name changed to Society for Developmental Education. This company also grew rapidly and it was again moved to South Peterborough as Staff Development for Educators, which at one time employed over 150 persons. Jim worked constantly on new and innovative ideas for promoting school success. He and Lillian traveled to every state in the US and many countries abroad spreading the message: STOP SCHOOL FAILURE. One of the conferences held yearly draws over 6,500 teachers and educators from all over the country and world. It was held last week in Las Vegas with 6,200 in attendance. That was the first one Jim ever missed.
Jim lived a very full life and was at peace with death. He always said what a ride, and it’s now over for me. I’m ready.
Jim will be remembered at calling hours on August 5 from 3 to 8 pm at Jellison Funeral Home in Peterborough. A Memorial service will be held August 6 at 11 am at the Unitarian Church on Main Street in Peterborough.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be sent to The Sunshine Fund, P O Box 577, Peterborough, 03458 OR Peterborough Fire Rescue, P O Box 244, Peterborough, NH 03458. Also per Jim, he asks that you do something nice for someone EVERY day of your life, from today forward.