Robert W. Grantier, Troy, passed away on April 25, 2015, at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center. He was 58 years old.
Robert Wayne Grantier was born in Sayre, PA, on June 18, 1956, the youngest child and only son of the late Robert Dixon and Olympia Iannetti Grantier of Canton, PA. He grew up on the family farm, and although his career would take him from the Canton area, when he retired from education in 2014, he was happy to return to the farm and take up the work he loved.
Robert Wayne Grantier was born in Sayre, PA, on June 18, 1956, the youngest child and only son of the late Robert Dixon and Olympia Iannetti Grantier of Canton, PA. He grew up on the family farm, and although his career would take him from the Canton area, when he retired from education in 2014, he was happy to return to the farm and take up the work he loved.
Bob attended Canton schools where he enjoyed performing in musical productions and playing sports, in which he showed prowess at an early age. He loved playing for Canton High School and lettered in baseball, football, and basketball.
He graduated from his alma mater in June of 1974, and that fall he entered Bloomsburg University where he continued his football career and pledged the Delta Pi Fraternity. He graduated from Bloomsburg University in 1978, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in education, and in 1981, he earned his master’s degree. In the fall of 1978, Bob began his teaching career as a history teacher for the Troy Area School District. His first few years found him working in the district’s junior high school; eventually he would transfer to the high school where he taught history and later was a remedial reading specialist. He continued his education as well, eventually receiving a secondary principal’s certificate from Bucknell University, and a superintendent’s certificate from Marywood University.
Bob’s career with the Troy Area School District spanned 31 years in which he served the district in many capacities; in addition to his years in the classroom, he was a football coach, a dean of students, an athletic director, an assistant principal, principal, and eventually, the district superintendent, a position he began in 2002. Among his many accomplishments as Troy’s superintendent were the building projects of which he was very proud, particularly the construction of a new state-of-the-art auditorium. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the Troy Area School District Foundation, which will continue to positively impact students and teachers in the district for many years to come.
In 2009, Bob left his employment with Troy and served one year as the superintendent of schools in Pine Grove, PA; the following year he began his work for the Loyalsock Township School District where he would finish his career in education. Bob thoroughly enjoyed his years in the Williamsport area, making a difference in many organizations, making many friends, and helping to establish the Lancer Foundation. Bob retired from the Loyalsock Township School District in April of 2014.
Bob was a member of many community organizations, and through this involvement, further demonstrated his belief in the importance of youth and public education; he was a member of the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators, Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity of Professional Educators, the Troy School District Foundation, and the Loyalsock Township School District’s Lancer Foundation. In addition, he was a board member of the Pennsylvania State University Educational Outreach Program, the Mansfield University K16 Program, and the Lycoming County United Way, and he served as an executive board member for the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for Health Care and the Susquehanna Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of the board of trustees for the Wings of Discovery Challenge Center and the Guthrie Health Care System, and he served as president of the Blended Schools Network. In addition, he was a past PIAA District IV chairperson, and at the time of his death, he was the president of the Canton Main Street Cemetery Association.
Bob married the former Shirley Ripley of Painted Post, NY, on August 1, 1981, and they reared three sons, Jacob, Nathan, and Seth. As proud as Bob was of his accomplishments as an educator, it was truly his three boys who were his pride and joy. He loved his family, his farm, and Notre Dame and Green Bay Packer football. He enjoyed a lifelong pursuit of history and its leaders, and he always had a good book in his possession.
Surviving are his wife Shirley, his son Jacob and his wife Cara of Columbus, OH, Nathan of Chicago, IL, and Seth of Brooklyn, NY. Survivors also include two sisters, Carol Rechel of Hughesville, PA, and Joan Hendricks of Catawissa, PA; brother-in-law, Alan Ripley and his wife Barbara, West Henrietta, NY; sister-in-law, Sharon Quattrini of Painted Post, NY, several nieces and nephews: John, Joseph, Augie, Christian, Lucas, Eileen, Cassie, Gail, and Erin, as well as 9 great nieces and nephews. In addition, he was blessed by a very large circle of wonderful friends. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Libby, his mother-in-law, Eileen Ripley, his brother-in-law, John Rechel, and a nephew, Nicholas Quattrini.
Per the family’s wishes, there will be no calling hours, and the funeral will be private. A memorial service to celebrate Bob’s life will follow at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested contributions to a number of organizations that were near and dear to Bob: the Troy Area School District Foundation, the Loyalsock Township School District Lancer Foundation, the United Way, and the Boy Scouts of America. If your circumstances do not allow a monetary donation, please honor Bob’s memory by doing something good for a child.
