Rockland County, NY – Former County Executive Remembered For Helping Hatzalah Members On Shabbos

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    Rockland County, NY – Hundreds of people paid their respects yesterday to former County Executive John T. Grant, who died Saturday at age 78 after a long illness.

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    The mood was somber inside T.J. McGowan Sons’ funeral home on Broadway, but not without joy, as people recounted long friendships and old memories of their time with Grant.

    His friend of some 60 years, Frank Matone, a former county commissioner of jurors, was among them.

    “We saw each other almost every day, talked every day on the phone,” Matone said. “He was a good man. He raised a great family. I’m sure gonna miss him.”

    Grant was the first to serve as Rockland’s county executive, from 1986 through 1993, but he became active in politics shortly after serving in the Marines during the Korean War.

    Grant’s son Stephen said his father worked to represent Rockland overall, but never forgot who made up the county. As examples, He also told the story of how Grant and his wife, Mary, walked out of Nyack Hospital one Friday night and were approached by some Hasidic men who asked Grant if he had any important plans for the evening.

    When Grant said no, the men, members of Hatzolah Ambulance Corps, asked if he could drive them home, as their sabbath had begun and they could no longer drive.

    He climbed into their vehicle and drove them home to Ramapo, with his wife following in their family car, Stephen Grant said.

    “My father had a countywide vision, but he was also aware of all of its communities,” Stephen Grant said.

    Read more at The Journal News


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    9 Comments
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    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    We will miss his service to the community. BDE

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Very interesting because usually when Hatzolah find themselves with out a גוי for any reason it is they will drive home-alone, they won’t stay at the Hospital till מוצאי שבת. In fact; the only neighborhoods to have שבת גוים are Williamsburg, Boro Park, Staten Island, & Monsey. (Sorry if I forgot maybe 1) all other neighborhoods are officially driving home from the Hospitals by them self, they don’t have גוים at all…

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    The ultra-Orthodox Jews should have as much respect for other Jews as they do for this man.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    #3 – your comment was unnecessary.
    this guy was from chasidei imos haolam

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    How beautiful that we show Hakuras Hatov, it means alot!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    They have shabbas guyim in lakewood aswell