LCDR AM Mike Granat USN Retired
February 09, 1920 - August 25, 2015
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LCDR AM Mike Granat USN Retired
February 09, 1920 - August 25, 2015
Obituary
We have lost another of the greatest generation. LCDR A. M. “Mike” Granat, 95, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, 25 August 2015 in Bellingham, WA. He was born on February 9th, 1920 in Omaha, NB to Max and Elsie Granat. He attended Hollywood High School – taking jobs as a caddy and valet to the stars of Hollywood. In June 1941 he married Helen Billberg and they enjoyed 75 years of marriage together, raising their son Mike and daughter Gerry. Nine days after December 7th 1941, Dad sailed into the devastation of the attack on Pearl Harbor, there he joined his younger brother Gerald on long range patrol duty in PBY Catalinas. Having seen extensive combat in the South Pacific Dad returned Stateside for transition to fighter and carrier qualification. His brother Gerald was lost, shot down over the Soloman Islands. Dad flew the most iconic aircraft of that time: the Grumman Wildcat, Hellcat, Bearcat, Tigercat, Albatross, and then finished his career on the Lockheed Superconstellation and many others which he described in his book “The Golden Era of Naval Aviation”. Following his retirement from the Navy, he accomplished a second career as an Aeronautical Engineer with Lockheed Corporation. Subsequently Dad enjoyed time as a flight instructor, boat builder and antique clock repairer.Dad lived a full and honorable life, and was as proud of his family as he was loved, respected and admired by them. He is survived by his wife Helen, son Mike Granat (Belinda), daughter Gerry Fulton (Dennis), granddaughter Kate Simmons (Andy) and great grandson Aiden. Military funeral honors and interment will take place at Tahoma National Cemetery in due course.
4 responses to LCDR AM Mike Granat USN Retired
Charlotte Mortson & Gail Bailey says:
August 25, 2015
Charlotte, niece of Ester Duboff and I had great love and admiration for Arnold and Helen. We will miss them and cherish the times we spent with them. I once looked up a display in the Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola for him. It was a listing of the Aviation Pilots of WWII showing their contributions.Arnold was a man that you were proud to have known. His book was a wonderful history of their lives. Gail R Bailey Cdr USN RET
Greg and Lavonne Simmons says:
August 25, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you in the loss of your dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa. What a beautiful tribute to a life lived many years in the service to our country. Love, Lavonne & Greg
karen hinton says:
August 25, 2015
Our most sincere condolences on the loss of this wonderful man. What a life he led! And quite a legacy he leaves.
Cynthia and roger Zejdlik and family says:
August 25, 2015
Dear Mike and Belinda and Kate and family,
We read every word of the obituary about your Dad, Mike. What a tribute to such a wonderful person. His love of flight, country, precision, detail and enjoyment of life and marriage is something he passed on to you all, all quite successfully. (I remember you bought Karl his first toy military vehicle, which is now being saved for our grand daughter…along with Granat stories.) Not many of us reach great grandparent status. We are sorry for your loss, especially to your Mother too. Ironic that I just caught a glimpse of them just the other day. Our sympathies to you all. Love, Roger , Cynthia and Family