John William Grattan

John William Grattan was born on October 2, 1933, in Cleveland, Ohio to Samuel F. and Sophia J. (nee Bash) Grattan.  The family moved to Staten Island December 1941. John spent his childhood on Staten Island and grew up to join the US Army in May, 1957. He was chosen to attend the IBM Engineering School in Endicott, New York, where he learned how to repair the early Army computers.

John was eventually stationed near Sapporo, Japan where he met his wife Akiko. Married in 1962, the two taught English in Tokyo for a few years before moving to the Bronx, New York. John earned a bachelor's degree from NYU and the young family then moved to Huntington, Long Island, where they raised their family and had many dinner parties with friends. John worked for over 20 years as a data processing manager for Japan Airlines, retiring in 1993 to begin his next career as a grandfather and world traveler. As avid adventurers, John and Aki traveled to over 40 countries often accompanied by friends and family. In particular, they visited Japan numerous times. He was also a keen collector of napkins, souvenir pins, passport stamps, and good stories.

John died April 19, 2021 in Providence, RI at the age of 87. He is survived by his wife; his sister Nancy Grattan Chmely; his three children Ken, Dan, and Dawn (and their spouses Apple, Michele, and Justin, respectively); and his nine grandchildren Rebecca, Matthew, Grace, Lukas, Hannah, William, Henry, John, and Andrew.

John was a friend to all who knew him. Always quick with a joke and willing to extend a hand to anyone in need, he brightened the days of those lucky enough to encounter him. He loved nothing more than to have a cold drink, a delicious meal, and good times with friends and family.

In his memory, his grandchildren endeavor to seek out new adventures, finding their own stories to be able to share with each other while raising a toast to John William Grattan.

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