Gerald “Jerry” “Chief” Granat, Watersmeet, Michigan passed peacefully on Sunday, October 22 with his wife and stepdaughters by his side.  The family will be receiving visitors at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55^th Street in Countryside, Illinois on Sunday, October 29 from 10am until the time of services. A Firefighter Walk-Through and Last Alarm Service will take place at 3:30pm. A religious service by Father Michael Bradley who served as the Chaplain for the LaGrange Fire Department during Jerry’s 20-year tenure as Fire Chief will directly follow at 4pm.

Jerry was born on July 5, 1932 to George H. and Edith S. Granat in Chicago, Illinois.  He spent much of his life in Illinois – in Chicago, Orland Park, and later in LaGrange before retiring to the North Woods with his second wife, Elaine where he enjoyed the remainder of his life. The two continued with an active semi-retirement for many years as proprietors of Oak Ridge Resort on Lac Vieux Desert in Phelps, Wisconsin where they fished and entertained hundreds of guests prior to enjoying their final years together relaxing in Watersmeet, Michigan on Moon Lake.

Jerry set out early in life as a sheet metal worker while working as a volunteer Firefighter for Orland Park with his brother, Art.  Jerry thought about becoming a police officer like his father, but on his father’s prompting entered the fire service instead. Jerry fought fires for 20 years as a Firefighter as he worked up the ranks to Fire Chief in the Village of LaGrange where he would then courageously lead the Fire Department for an additional 20 years prior to his retirement. Chief Granat contributed significantly to many advancements in the field including the development of MABAS, the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System that provides emergency rapid response service to Fire, EMS, Haz Mat and Natural disasters.

He is survived by his wife Elaine (Vorel); one sister, Edith (Kodadek); two sons, Glenn and Jerry (Penni); two stepdaughters – Dawn Derezotes Holland and Dennette Derezotes; four grandchildren – Melissa, Sarah, Aaron, Stacey and a step-granddaughter, Ceridwyn; 15 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great -grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Valerie; and his siblings, Bud, Ralph, Art, and Thyra.

Funeral information: (708) 352-6500