Francis was a meat and potatoes guy. He never cared much for material things because he understood what truly mattered – his family and friends.
He grew up in Worcester and spent his adolescent years terrorizing the Indian Hill neighborhood of Worcester with his brothers and friends. As he got older, that same energy was focused on the local golf courses, fishing spots and bars of the area.
Everything changed in 1979 when he met the love of his life, Mary. From that point on, his focus became his family. He made every sacrifice to ensure they had what they needed and more. He took great joy in sharing the things he loved with his boys, never missing a chance to take them fishing or on some crazy adventure. His car always carried a fishing pole and a bucket, just in case he passed a lake and could sneak in a few casts or spotted some random wildlife he could catch and bring home to show the family.
But above all, his greatest passion was baseball. He loved sharing that passion with his boys and with the many young players of Jesse Burkett Little League who were fortunate enough to have had him as a coach. He had a gift for teaching the game and an incredible, almost otherworldly patience on the field.
His coaching legacy reached a pinnacle in 2002, when he led the Jesse Burkett team to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, finishing fourth in the world. As proud as he was of that accomplishment, he was even more proud of the hundreds of young players he inspired and helped fall in love with the game over his many years.
Francis is survived by his wife of 46 years, Mary; his children, Daniel Granger of Costa Mesa, CA, Kevin Granger and his wife Brittany and their children Jackson and Paige of Grafton, MA, Robert Granger and his wife Carrie and their children Mackenzie, Jeremy and Lydia of Struthers, OH and Brian Granger and his wife Megan and their children Brady, Bennett and Brooks of Boylston, MA.
Francis is also survived by five brothers and sisters, Ann Marie Spellane and her husband Philip, James P. Granger and his wife Kathleen, all of Worcester, Susan Harrington and her husband Theodore of Centerville, John J. Granger and his wife Jane of Poquott, N.Y., and Paul R. Granger and his wife Stephanie of Tennessee.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Barbara Granger and two brothers Edward Granger Jr. and David Granger.
Calling hours are Tuesday, April 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester. There will be a funeral Mass Wednesday, April 22 at 10 a.m. at Christ the King church, 1052 Pleasant St., Worcester. The burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, find your local Little League and make a donation. That is what Francis would have wanted.
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