Grant Pick Obituary

Thank You Grant, it was an honor knowing you!

Dear Kathy,



News is slow to get to Connecticut and I cannot express to you how sorry and shocked I am about losing Grant.

There is little to say that can make sense of this, but knowing that Grant was an exceptional human being who always brought a smile to a conversation makes his journey in this world very special to those fortunate enough to have known him.

My deepest sympathies to you and your children - my prayers are with you.



Tony

Dear Kathy,

I was saddened to hear of Grant's passing. I've known him professionally for many years and my lasting memory of Grant will be his passion for public education.

Please accept my deepest sympathy.

Our deepest sympathy to Grant Pick's family. We, my husband Ed and I, were the recipients of Grant's kind eyes. He viewed the patio in front of our store and wrote a Reader article about us and the store. He wrote about us and our family and wrote so well that for about a year, people would walk into the store with the article in hand wanting to see what he wrote about. We mourn his death and extend to his family that he touched people in a special way.

To The Pick Family:



Please accept my deepest sympathies to you in the loss of such a fine man as Grant. I knew Grant through a Chicago Community Trust project, which he worked on for years. He was always helpful, always funny, always looking for ways to do things better and smarter for the kids involved. I respected his contributions and his kindness.

His integrity, humor and gentleness will be missed by us all. His legacy and his mark is felt by us all.

With deepest sympathies,

Elizabeth Hanson-McChesney

Dearest Kathy, John and Emily,

We are so privileged to have known Grant. As we sat in the service on Friday, we laughed and cried at the same time. We cried that such a good person is no longer in our midst, yet we smiled at how much Grant's presence will endure because of his passion to make this world a better place. John and Emily are such fine people and a window into the love in your home. Unfortunately the years were too short for Grant, but, the measure of man is what he leaves behind. Grant was a big man. Our memories of his smile and good deeds will always be with us. We wish you the strength to endure these difficult days. With love, Sheri and Sherwin

Dear Kathy and family,

We were so sorry to hear about Grant's death. We know him through you and from his work more than from personal acquaintance, but our personal recollections are connected with outdoor activity, so it is a particular shock.



Our deepest condolences.

Debby and Harvey Strauss

Dear Kathy, Emily and John,



I just heard the awful news from Roslyn. I wish I could just put my arms around you and give you a great big hug! Grant was such a wonderful, quite, gentle man with such devotion to his community, causes and family. All of you had such a wonderful impact on our family, especially those beginning years at LaSalle. You were our mentors through that early childhood process. Our saddened hearts go out to all of you with great love and tenderness.



Abby, Gene Evan and Daniel

Kathy, John, and Emily

I am very saddened by your loss. I remember Grant as always so cheerful as well as keenly interested in education. My thoughts are with you as you absorb this major loss. gayle

Dear Kathy and Family,

I was saddened to learn of Grant's sudden passing. I wanted you to know that I was thinking of you and your family. I have known you both for such a long time. Even though we don't see each other, I just wanted you to know how sad I am for you all.

Fondly,

Nancy Kirchheimer Hollins

Dear Kathy, Emily & John,

I received a phone call from Harry Oppenheimer sharing the tragic news. Mike Wurzburg and I attended the beautiful service on Friday, hoping to personally express our condolences; however, service scheduling didn't permit it. Although Grant and I didn't stay in touch as we should have, I wanted to share with you how much Grant has been a part of my family.

As you are aware, I grew up next door to the Pick family at 120 Hogarth Lane. Grant and I are the same age separated by a month. From the ages of 5 to 14 years old our lives were entwined. From lazy "do nothing" days, building forts in the ravines, hiking to the beach, seeking adventure, searching for love, attending Camp Ketchawa, walking to & from school dailey, scouting, tormenting Judy, sleep overs, pennies on the railroad tracks, kissing our teachers, climbing and breaking into Central school, driving without licenses; to say the least, we did it all.



When my children were small, my role was to put them to bed; however, that was only successful if I told them a story. Most often their request of story subject was the adventures of Grant and Gerry. They know more about my childhood and my pal next door than I can express to you. Although they never met Grant, they did know him through the stories as a trusting, loving, cautious, friendly, lovable, adventuresome, curious, kind, funny, unselfish, sharing and loyal friend.



If a movie could serve as a metaphor for a 9 years of great childhood experiences and friendship "Stand by me" would be Grants' and mine.



Grant impacted many people early and later in life.



I and We thank Grant for the memories and his friendship.



Our deepest sympathy to you all.

Gerry

Gail, Stuart, Christina, and Brooke Miller, Lake Forest, Il

Dear Kathy, Emily and John,

Our family wishes to extend our deepest condolences for the unexpected loss of your husband and father. We remember Grant as a real leader in civic affairs, especially LaSalle Language Academy.

Paula & Dean Bilton

Dear Kathy,

We are out of the country and just learned of Grant's passing. Our hearts go out to you and the family and we send our deepest sympathy.

Thank you for the article in the READER about GALLERY CHICAGO and

GARY STOCHL. My sincere sympathy

to the family and friends.

It was a short but sweet journey. Thank you for letting me know him.
APRIE$$

We at the Chicago Photography Center were saddened to learn of the death of your husband. May your faith sustain you through this troubled time. Take care.

Dear Kathy, Emily, and John:



We were shocked and saddened to learn of Grant recently passing away. When I was active at LaSalle Language Academy, I alway enjoyed working with Grant. He had professionalism and integrity and a great sense of humor.



Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.



Fondly,



Alan, Liz, Sarah, and Megan Hale

Dear Kathy, Emily, and John,

We are so sorry to hear of your loss and our deepest thoughts of peace are with you.

Love, Becca and Maddie

Dear Kathy and family,

We were shocked to hear of Grant's sudden passing. He, you and your family have been a positive asset in our community. He will be sorley missed. You have our deepest sympathy.

Mike, Joe, Paul, Michael and Matt from Wahler Bros. Hardware

It was a beautiful ceremony today. The two letters that John read aloud were so GRANT!

I just saw Grant over the weekend and said that we should go out to dinner next week or so. I will truly miss him and the world lost a kind, considerate, and gentle person.

To The Pick Family,

I was truly saddened and shocked because just the day before I saw Grant here at Nettelhorst School and I walked him to the door. As he left the building I got a big chuckle out of him. I told him I could see his chest sticking out from one end of the hall to the other. I said, "You must be a pretty proud Papa of Emily." He said, "Yeah, yeah I am." We will truly miss you at Nettelhorst. You are in our prayers. If you want a good laugh, I had one flat tire this morning trying to get to the Temple. AAA put the doughnut (spare) on and guess what - it blew too! I'm sure you'd have a good laugh about that one!. I will miss you.

Grant was such a wonderful, kind, caring man. He was my all-time favorite WNCA colleague, and I treasure the good times we had. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy.

Dear Kathy and family,

The world was a better place for Grant having been here: we all know that--whether as writers, readers, or simply human beings who care about making the world a better place for all. I loved our connection via People, sometimes working on the same stories or seeing each other at Chicago gatherings. And it was a treat when he visited Minneapolis a few years ago. He was always encouraging, supporting, caring, about the individuals in his life and the broader society: a role model, inspiration, for how we must all be. His spirit will live on in a million ways.

And how he adored his wife and children! My prayers and thoughts are with you,

Margaret

John,

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Dear Kathy,

I was so sad to hear of Grant's sudden passing. My sympathy to you and your family.

To the Pick family,



Howard first meeting Grant many years ago when he either called Grant or Grant contacted Howard about a story the subject of which is long forgotten.



Years later we met again as a relative of our brother-in-law, Gary Steigerwald, and were astonished at how small the world is!



We remember Grant as kind and generous. Our daughter Debra was fortunate to ride back with Grant from a Bar Mitzvah in Bloomington, IN. She had wonderful things to say about the conversation and the company.



Our sincere condolences on your loss. May Grant's memory be for a blessing.

To the Pick Family:

Grant will be greatly missed. He was such a big part of our neighborhood and we will miss his smile and laugh. My deepest sympathies on your loss.

Dear Kathy, John and Emily, I was so shocked and saddened when my son, Robert, called to tell me of Grant's sudden passing. We both remember him from Robert's years at LaSalle. Grant was always warm and kind and had such a sweet smile that he freely shared with others. Robert and I wish you all the strength to get through the difficult days ahead. Our hearts hurt for you. May his memory be for a blessing.

Debby and Robert Lewis

We will really miss Grant. We are so glad we got to know such a wonderful man. Our condolences to you and the family.

Grant was such a kind man, always smiling. He brought such happiness whenever he came to the store and we will truly miss him. Our condolences to you and your family.

I will always remember Grant's laugh and that great smile of his. He was always making jokes at sleepovers at the Pick house or visiting the school, working to make the CPS's better. So many of us will never forget all of the wonderful things he did for us and how much he cared for all people. All my love and big hugs to Emily, John and Kathy. Love, Alix

Dear Kathy, Emily, and John,

I was so sad to read of Grant's sudden death. Sara and Amy join me in sending you our deepest sympathy.

Dear Kathy and family,

I was stunned to her of Grant's passing. I was a member of his book club and feel honored to have known him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you

To the Pick family:



My husband I wish to extend our condolence. As across the street neighbors, we frequently exchanged hellos as we all shoved the walks and did yard work. In addition, Grant and I would frequently pass each other on our way to the park to jog/walk. Grant was a great neighbor.

To The Pick Family,

This just cannot be; how vibrant and fantastic a guy was Grant. Though you may not remember who I am as I have been gone from Chicago for awhile my memories of Grant are impressive. He was such an interesting man and let his values direct his life work and his family. My deepest love and prayerTO Kathy, Emily, John and all the family who so loved Grant.

Jane Davis Holzkamp

Dear Kathy,

My deepest sympathies on your loss. I had the pleasure of working with Grant on an Tribune feature article this summer about Chicago Public Schools Teacher Recruitment. My condolences to you and your family.

I have come to know Grant during the past few years at Temple Sholom of Chicago. More recently my nine year old son, Jacob, has helped Grant with the Temple's bi-monthly effort to make bag lunches for the needy and Jacob has come to know him and feel comfortable talking with him. Grant has always been warm and friendly in a gentle way. Smart and insightful and so incredibly well-spoken. I am so sorry for your loss. I know that we at Temple Sholom will miss him always.



Sincerely,

Dear Kathy, Our hearts go out to you. What a terrible loss. We send deepest, heartfelt sympathy to you and the children. Much love, Susie and Alfie

Dear Kathy and family,

I'm so sorry to read of Grant's sudden death. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and worked with him and cared for him. My sympathy to you and your family.

Grant and I were friends as youths (Glencoe; New Trier '65). We saw each other very infrequently (usually in the company of Jim Mizell) later in life.



I have always had tremendous respect for Grant's work as a writer, which I followed from afar, online. My appreciation of his talent and insight grew exponentially when I gave up my legal career and became a teacher five years ago.



My condolences to Grant's family.

What stunning, sad news. Although I didn't know Grant that well personally, I was always happy to run into him and Kathy around town, and always eager to read any story carrying his byline. He was a fine man and an outstanding journalist, and will be deeply missed.

With deepest sympathy, Magda

Dear Kathy, Emily and John,

It saddens me deeply on the passing of a most wonderful man.

As a teacher at LaSalle Language Academy, I came to know Grant as a caring and concerned parent. Grant not only was devoted to his family, but also in making the education system more effective for the students and personnel involved. Grant helped me achieve my goal in life as an elementary school principal. I am eternally grateful to him and feel very privileged to have known him.

My family and I express our condolences to his family. You will be in our prayers.

Sincerely, Kevin McCann and Family

Grant was such a wonderful man who is surely going to be missed at Nettelhorst School. Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Pick family

Fondly,

Mrs. Major and Room 301

Grant's long time devotion to this city, along with his love of education, have helped make LaSalle Language Academy and our neighborhood what they are today. Those of us who were privileged enough to call him a friend and neighbor will truly miss his warmth and leadership. Kathy, Emily, & John our prayers are with you.

Kathy,



I was stunned to hear of Grant's death. As you may know, our encounters with each other were usually years apart, but every time I came away from meeting him--on the L, at a meeting, on the street--I felt that I had been with a good man, an interested and interesting man. You and your children have our deepest sympathy.



Roger and Dolores Flaherty

When I saw Grant Pick's by-line, I read

the piece immediately -- and after meeting him in the Wrightwood/Lincoln

Park area, he always greeted me by name

and we would exchange views on the

"latest" -- whether a local school issue or

Chicago politics -- or the weather! His

quiet warm demeanor was lovely -- he

made me feel as though we were best

friends and had known one another for

ever. I was shocked and deeply saddened to see his name on the Tribune

obituary page -- I don't know his family

but feel compelled to share my thoughts and to send them my deepest sympathy

and prayers. "Death leaves a heartache

no one can heal, love leaves a memory

no one can steal." -- from a headstone

in Ireland

I was so sorry to hear about Grant. The entire family has my deepest sympathy.

The shock is unbearable, the loss hard to comprehend. We have always been so fond of Grant and so in awe of his talents. I often think of my father taking Grant to White Sox games (we HAD to go, but it wasn't the same as having a boy) Dad so loved being with him. Memories, memories, that's all there are now--how unfair. Mel and I send love.

Grant Pick was the ideal neighbor. Friendly, always glad to see you and full of good will and good humour, and yet never encroaching on one's privacy. He was a gentle man in the best sense of the term and will be missed by his friends and neighbors in Michigan.

I watched his chldren grow up in summers here when they played tennis next door to me, often with Grant and Kathy. They always seemed to really enjoy the family competition and comradship.

I send Kathy and the children my love and deepest sympathy.



Taylor Williams

Dear Kathy, Emilie, & John,

I was so shocked and saddened to hear of Grant's death. He made such a difference for so many. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.

With love, Linda Miranda

Kathy,

My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Grant's passing is a great loss to you and to all of those he touched in person and through his gift of expression.

Grant was the kind of freelance writer we all wanted to be: a talented writer who wrote for the people we all wanted to write for.

Regards, Gary

We are heartsick to learn of Grant's passing.He was always a wonderful cousin. Honestly, who goes to Des Moines on his honeymoon to visit me?! He was a true joy all his life.We send deepest condolences and all our love to Kathy, Emily and John, Mary Lu& all