Obituary of Joseph Grattan

Joseph Grattan, age 79, better known as Joe Grattan, passed away on Friday, December 18, 2020 at Morristown Medical Center in Morristown. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Joseph was raised in Rosedale and Sayville, NY. He also spent many happy years in West Cornwall, CT before settling in Lincoln Park, NJ for the past 41 years. After retiring from Compass Group 15 years ago, Joe worked as a Food Service Consultant at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge MA, the University of California at Merced and the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C. He loved to travel through out the country and Europe. He had started his quest of visiting the National Parks- Yosemite being his favorite. He hiked many sections of the Appalacian Trail, giving him many stories to share. Joseph loved people, especially his family. He was a communicant of St. Bartholomew’s Church, Scotch Plains. He was an avid member of National Mercedes Benz Club of America for many years, and was recently elected to their National Board. He also served on the Board of Directors of Friendship House in Hackensack, an organization offering opportunities for individuals with special needs. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing golf and retriving golf balls. And he enjoyed his cigars, having a custom made humidor! For several years he joined with other cigar aficionados for monthly dinners and a good smoke. Survived by his son Michael Joseph Grattan, III and his wife Andrea of Grand Junction, CO; his grandchildren Faith and Luke; his sister Gail (Paul) Harren of Brielle, NJ, and brothers Donald (Eileen) Grattan of Vienna, VA and Roger Grattan of PA; 5 nephews and 3 nieces and his longtime companion Kathleen Smythe of Scotch Plains. After a private funeral, a memorial celebration will be held in the spring. Please contact the family for more details. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church, Scotch Plains, NJ, at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to Friendship House, 125 Atlantic Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601 would be welcome.