Richard A. Granacker

Richard A. Granacker of Bethel, CT born one of 4 children to Raymond and Alice Granacker of Hillsdale NY on July 23, 1933, died on Sunday, March 24, 2019 surrounded by his wife and family. He was the beloved husband of Mary Anne Granacker.

 A dedicated husband, father, grandfather, Grand Knight and friend. He leaves behind his wife of 60 years Mary Anne Granacker, his 2 children, his son Richard (Rusty) Granacker (Wendy Granacker) of Brookfield. His daughter Heidi M. Haick of Bethel. Along with his 5 loving grandchildren Jake Granacker, Tanner Granacker, Tyler Haick, Kenny Granacker and Amanda Haick.

Richard grew up in Hillsdale, NY, served in the US Army during his younger years and was discharged with an Honorable discharge. He also attended Clarkson University. He moved to Hyde Park, NY in the 1960's and built his 1st home with Mary Anne, At that time he worked at Burroughs Corporation till 1975 when he was transferred to Syracuse, NY where the family lived till 1981 while he continued to work at Burroughs Corporation. During this time he spent numerous hours coaching his children thru many sports such as Ice Hockey, soccer and baseball. He also traveled to Korea, China and Japan with his work. In 1981 he was transferred to Bethel ,CT with Burroughs where the family still maintains a home. He also worked at Fujitsu and DEX in Danbury.  During his life in Bethel he continued to coach his children with their sports thru their high school years. He was the Bethel High School Assistant Ice hockey coach for 7 years and continue to coach in town and travel soccer. He loved to work on the hot air balloon team for Remax, was a very active member of the Knights of Columbus, he was a 4th degree life time member, worked for many years on the St Mary's bereavement committee.  Richard loved to build, he helped design and build his son's home and also the addition on to his own home. He loved his 5 grand children more then life itself. You could usually find him playing legos, racing rc cars or helping them with computer games in their younger years. As they got older he became the go to guy for them to have him fix their broken electronics or help them with their vehicles. You could usually find him at their sporting events or just sitting and talking to them. He had a special place in his heart for his only grand daughter whom is born on his birthday and spent many Thanksgivings making Apple pies with her.

Richard will be truly missed by his entire family, the Knights of Columbus and the amazing amount of people whose hearts he touched.

There will be calling hours on Sunday March 31st from 1 to 3 pm at the Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, CT. The Funeral will be a Mass of Christian Burial at St Mary's Church, 24 Dodingtown Rd, Bethel, CT at 10 am On Monday April 1, 2019 followed by a burial at St Mary's Cemetery, Bethel.

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