[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27302]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



   TRIBUTE TO WILFRID A. GRANQUIST, JR. IN HONOR OF HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY

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                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 15, 2000

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
a very special husband, father, and grandfather, Mr. Wilfrid A. ``Jay'' 
Granquist, Jr. who celebrated his 80th birthday on November 22, 2000.
  Born to Wilfrid A. Granquist, Sr. and Leona Ellis Granquist on 
November 22, 1920, young Jay became, by necessity, independent at an 
early age. Using his own resources, he survived and thrived during his 
adolescent years. Mr. Granquist served his country in defense of 
freedom in World War II and fought valiantly in the infantry during the 
Battle of the Bulge. Upon completing his service to our country, he 
became a metallurgical engineer of quality control with Westinghouse, 
which later merged with Bendix Corporation in Kansas City. He retired 
as a senior metallurgical engineer in 1981 after 21 years of service to 
the company.
  Mr. Granquist met and fell in love with Margaret Lang while roller 
skating in 1939. During their first encounter, he cut his finger and 
asked his future bride to kiss it and make it better for him. On 
September 21, 1940 they were married and celebrated 60 years of 
matrimony this past September. Jay and Margaret have 3 children--
Marilyn Leona Watson, John Lang Granquist, and Joyce G. Holland who 
will commemorate their father's 80th birthday on November 24 along with 
his 13 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
  One remarkable milestone that should be noted is Jay's 3 half 
siblings who he was recently reunited with--2 sisters and I brother. 
His half brother, James, celebrated his 50th birthday in 1999 and his 
wife, Rhonda, took it upon herself to invite Jay and Margaret to join 
them. This was most touching and heartwarming for all of the siblings.
  Mr. Granquist has spent much of his retirement years volunteering for 
organizations such as Seton Center, St. Joseph Hospital, and the Red 
Bridge Lions Club. He has served as a lay minister in his parish, St. 
Thomas Moore, and is president of his homes association, Klatte Meyer 
Estates. His volunteer work at St. Joseph Hospital includes driving the 
Jitney to transport patients and visitors from the parking lot to the 
hospital. His friendly manner is appreciated, and it is noteworthy that 
Jay has never met a stranger. Other volunteers who appreciate his 
myriad skills fondly refer to Mr. Granquist as a ``Jack of All 
Trades.'' His efforts at Seton Center include collecting and 
transporting food and bakery items to the Center for distribution to 
the needy. As part of the ``Share of the Harvest'' program for the 
Missouri Department of Conservation, Mr. Granquist transports fowl and 
venison for use by the Center. He is an avid woodworker, building food 
shelves and other essential construction needs at the Center. He revels 
in restoring airplanes and is a member of Save a Connie. Mr. Granquist 
is an advocate for neighborhood concerns and active in local political 
campaigns in Kansas City. In his spare time he enjoys square dancing 
with Margaret, refinishing fine furniture, and creating special gifts 
for family and friends. His generosity is umatched, and his selfless 
dedication to the greater good continues to motivate him to help his 
fellow man.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Mr. Wilfrid A. Granquist, Jr., his wife 
Margaret; his children, Marilyn, John, and Joyce, his grandchildren and 
great grandchildren, please join me in saluting the life of this 
remarkable gentleman and in wishing him a happy 80th birthday.
  Thank you.

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