GRANARA, John R., Jr., age 82, a lifelong resident of Medford, attorney, retired Special Sheriff of Middlesex County, and dedicated public servant, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on January 6, 2025.
John was the beloved son of the late John R. and Janet (Lenox) Granara. He was raised in Medford, attending St. Joseph`s School and Matignon High School before graduating from Boston College with a degree in economics. A proud United States Army Veteran of the Vietnam Era, he pursued legal studies at Suffolk University Law School, graduating under the GI Bill. He began his career as a Juvenile Parole Officer with the Department of Youth Services, later serving on the Medford School Committee, where he was a strong advocate for educational and athletic programs.
John`s public service continued as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, where he championed transparency, labor rights, and economic incentives for businesses. In 1997, he joined the Middlesex Sheriff`s Office as Chief Legal Counsel, later becoming Special Sheriff and Acting Sheriff. He retired in 2011 after a distinguished career in law enforcement. In 2013, he was honored with the Saint Michael the Archangel Award by the Massachusetts Italian American Police Officers Association for his outstanding commitment and dedication to public service to the people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In addition to his roles in public service, John was an attorney with his own practice for many years, providing legal counsel to clients in the community out of his office in Medford Square.
In addition to his professional achievements, John was deeply involved in civic affairs and was a lifelong parishioner of Saint Joseph`s Church in Medford. As a highly active member of the American Legion Post 45 and ELKS Lodge 915 in Medford, John was deeply involved in their activities and events. Additionally, he was a member of the Sons and Daughters of Italy and the Irish American Association. He was also a past member of Kiwanis and served as the former Chairman of the Medford Young Democrats Scholarship Committee.
John created and was a board member of the James and Thelma Connors Scholarship Fund, which has awarded over $1.5 million in scholarships to 350 students in the city of Medford over the last 8 years. He also served on the board of the Granara-Skerry Trust, which has raised over $1.5 million for pancreatic cancer research. He supported youth and adult sports, including sponsoring numerous teams, one of which was named the Granara Club. He was Chairman and Commissioner of Baseball for the American Legion in Middlesex County for over 15 years. A passionate advocate for veterans, he organized Medford`s Memorial Day Services for over 20 years and oversaw the decoration of more than 7,800 veterans` graves for over 30 years, continuing this service until May 2024.
John was the devoted husband of the late Judith Mae (Hamilton) Granara, with whom he shared 56 years of marriage. Together, they raised two children: John R. Granara III and his wife Rachell of Wilmington, and Kelly South and her husband Steven of Medford. He was the cherished grandfather of Jordyn Granara and her fiancé Corey Stillings, Isabella and Alyssa Granara, and Steven and Matthew South. John is also survived by his loving siblings: Paul Granara and his wife Joyce of Medford, Robert Granara and his wife Loretta of Reading, Nancy Sabataso, of Stoneham and her former husband Patrick, Edward (Ned) Granara and his wife Sharon of Gloucester, and James Granara and his wife Elizabeth of Medford. He was predeceased by his sister Kathleen Granara Skerry and is survived by her husband David Skerry. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and dear friends.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to visit at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main Street, Medford, on Friday, January 17, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and again on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. in Saint Joseph`s Church, 118 High St. Medford. Those wishing to join the funeral procession should arrive at the funeral home by 10:30 a.m.. Service will conclude with military honors and burial at Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford, MA.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in John`s memory be made to the American Legion Post 45 Medford, MA, for a Disabled American Veterans Chairlift. Checks may be sent to American Legion Post 45, 321 Winthrop St., Medford, MA, made payable to American Legion Post 45 with "Stair lift Fundraiser" in the memo line. Alternatively, donations may be made to the Granara-Skerry Trust to benefit Pancreatic Cancer Research at Massachusetts General Hospital, www.pancure.org.