Clarence Bertram Grandahl

On Saturday February 4, 2012 we lost our beloved father, grandfather, and uncle, Clarence Bertram Grandahl. His family was at his side when his soul left us to be with Our Lord in Paradise. "Papa" lived a full life and will be remembered as a kind, thoughtful and generous gentleman who blessed his family and many others in his life. His early life was that of travels to Sweden with his mother, piano and art lessons that made him a very well rounded and erudite man who loved the arts and found beauty in the world. We will remember him for his strength and dignity, especially in his final years. He was the only child of Nils Grandahl and Elfrida Erickson, attending Hartford Public schools and graduating from Trinity College in 1940 with a degree in philosophy. He served in WWII in New Guinea as a Medical Officer for almost four years and during the Korean War with the 169th Infantry Division Occupation Force in Germany for eighteen months. He married Ruth Taberman on March 31, 1945. He was owner and manager of Johnson and Grandahl of Hartford, retiring in 1980 and was a charter member of the Auto Body Association of Greater Hartford. He was a member of the Covenant Congregational Church of West Hartford, Laurel Camera Club, Newington Civitan Club and volunteered at Cedarcrest Hospital for many years. He was a man for all seasons when it came to service to God, country and his fellow man. He lived in Newington for fifty years and then at Covenant Village of Cromwell until his death. Clarence loved classical music, traveling and photography, especially of birds; he was an avid bird watcher. He also enjoyed playing golf and down hill skiing. He leaves his wife Ruth, sons Peter C. Grandahl and his wife Janice of East Hartford, Robert D. Grandahl and his wife Catherine and four grandchildren, Tyler Nils, Austin Robert, Andrew Morgan and Rebecca Ruth all of West Simsbury. The family wishes to thank the staff at Middlesex ICU and Hospice who were so wonderful to Clarence and his family.

A memorial service will be held at the Covenant Congregational Church, 1 Westminster Road, West Hartford, on Saturday February 11, 2012 at 11:00am with a reception to follow. The burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Memorial Fund at Covenant Congregational Church, West Hartford, CT. or the Benevolent Care Fund, Covenant Village, Cromwell, CT. Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home, West Hartford has care of arrangements. For online condolences and directions please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com