Dennis J. Grattan

GRATTAN – Dennis J., 84, Sidman, died February 3, 2022, at home, surrounded by family. Born July 11, 1937, in Dunlo, son of Lawrence E. and Frances R. (Jerneycic) Grattan. Preceded in death by parents, father and mother-in-law, Glenn and Geraldine Thomas; sisters, Alda (Peter) Kovalsky, Caroline (Pete) Rachael, and Dorothy (James) Mihalick; in-laws, Glory Grattan, Twila Grattan, Joan Grattan, and Timothy Thomas.

Survived by loving wife of 62 years, Judith A. (Thomas) Grattan; daughters, Amy, wife of Thomas Kakabar; Mary, wife of Chet Colledge; and Erin, wife of Mark Schiffhauer; grandchildren, Kimberly Kakabar; Renae, wife of Eric McCracken; and Lauren Schiffhauer; brothers, Francis, Bernard, and Patrick Grattan; sister, Mary Jane Dennis; special nephew and nieces, Robert Grattan and wife, Ellen; Diane G. Lopez and Karen Walker; sisters-in-law, Peggy Thomas and Valeria Thomas and her son, Travis; and numerous other beloved family and friends.

Member of St. Michael Catholic Church, St. Michael. Retired Maintenance Supervisor from Mercy Hospital after 42 years of service and served in the 876th Engineer Battalion with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. He was a talented wood worker, enjoyed gardening, and was always happy to lend a hand. Dennis was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother. He was our rock and will be fondly remembered as “The Great One.”

Family and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass which will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Michael Catholic Church, Father Clement Gardner, celebrant.

Committal, Corpus Christi Cemetery, Dunlo.

Arrangements by Charles O. Dimond Funeral Home, Inc. South Fork.

Special thanks to UPMC Family Hospice and Dr. Richard Kastelic and associates for their care and support.

Do you see the elk? He stands there waiting for you to make a move. Upon his head a crown of antlers. His breath visible in the stillness of the winter dawn; fog collects on his whiskers He turns his attention to his harem of cows, blissfully grazing in the mountain meadow nearby. The sun peers over the mountain face, announcing the morning of a new day. Turning the freshly fallen snow into a soft, shimmering sea of pink. The elk turns his head, his brown, knowing eyes meet yours. He beckons to you with a bugle; long and clear. The notes suspend in the crisp mountain air say to you “Come; sit with me and you shall find peace.”