Richard “Rick” Granata Sr., age 74, of Lapeer, MI died Monday, March 20, 2023 at McLaren Lapeer Region Hospital of Lapeer, MI. Richard Joseph Granata Sr. was born March 4, 1949 in Highland Park, MI. He was the son of the late Lawrence and the late Mary (Salvaggio) Granata. Rick grew up in Warren, MI. He was a graduate of St. Lawrence High School in Utica, MI, Class of 1967. After high school, Rick continued his education at the University of Detroit, earning his bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1971. He married Maureen Helen Brown on April 25, 1970 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Utica, MI. Rick and Maureen moved to the Imlay City area in 1971.
He was employed in material planning and logistics by Ford Motor Company for 42 1/2 years before retiring in 2013. Rick worked in Asia and the Pacific and lived in China for three years. After retirement, he returned to work at Ford Motor Company for three years as a contractor.
Rick was a member of Sacred Heart and Immaculate Conception Catholic churches. In the 1990s he was a member of the Imlay City School Board, also serving as board president.
He is survived by his wife, Maureen Granata; daughters, Sharon (Ned) Kroon of Oxford, MI and Pamela (Jack) McGrath of Clio, MI; his son, Rick (Ericka) Granata of Lapeer, MI; sister, Elizabeth Kammer of West Branch, MI; and his brother, Joseph Granata of Warren, MI. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Gia, Katelyn, Alexys, Maeghan, Haidynn, Cassandra, Emersyn, and Kynlee; and his great-grandson, Arthur.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Mary Granata; daughter, Gia Granata; and his son, Brent Granata.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, March 24, 2023 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 700 Maple Vista, Imlay City, MI. Reverend Fr. Noel Cornelio, pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, will officiate. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery.
The family will be available for visitation 2-5 and 6-8 p.m., Thursday, March 23 at Muir Brothers Funeral Home of Imlay City, 225 N. Main Street, Imlay City, MI and 10-11 a.m., Friday, March 24 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Those wishing to make memorial contributions may direct them to Funeral Masses in Memory of Richard Granata; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105; or Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306.
Arrangements were entrusted to Muir Brothers Funeral Home of Imlay City.
Please be sure to sign the online register at www.muirbrothersfh.com to share condolences and memories with the Granata family.
