Obituary of Chris Grandy

July 21, 1955 – June 2, 2025

Chris Grandy.  Age 69 of Southgate.

Beloved husband of Linda Grandy. Loving father of Dr. Ben (Katelyn) Grandy and Beau Grandy. Brother-in-law of Deborah (Al) Williamson, Pamela (Michael) Fogarty, the late Cynthia Stark, Rebecca Stark Zynda and Tina (Rob) Molter. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. Preceded in death by parents Joe and Jeannette Grandy. 

Christopher Paul Grandy was born on July 21, 1955, in Detroit, Michigan to Jeannette and Joseph Grandy. He was raised on 32nd Street and Michigan Avenue in Detroit. 

Chris often remarked on a childhood marked by challenges, grit, and determination. His father worked several jobs to make ends meet and his mother, Jeanette, devoted much of her time to caring for relatives and ailing parents. Chris attended St. Hedwig’s Catholic School. 

Growing up in 1960s Detroit wasn’t exactly a Norman Rockwell painting.  There was trouble around every corner and he spoke about how his father bought a cabin cruiser boat, not for leisurely weekend trips on the river, but to escape the riots of the city.  It wasn’t all doom and gloom, however. He was quick to find joy in the small things, spending hours in his dingy boat at the Ecorse boat basin, and listening to the Red Wings and Canadians on an old radio in his room.  

At around the age of 13, remarkably, his parents somehow scraped enough money together to move out of Detroit and on to Champaign Street in Lincoln Park. It truly felt like he had won the lottery. He was incredibly grateful and thankful. It was a decision which would shape the rest of his life. 

He was an accomplished baseball player and played 3rd base. He was affectionately known as “the vacuum” for his ability to gobble up ground balls. His real passion was hockey and notes it was a near miracle for him to do so because of the money it cost to play the sport. It is no surprise that these values of sacrifice and selflessness were instilled in him at a young age. 

It was not until high school that he learned to play golf. He met his best friend, Jack Moreno, who introduced Chris to two of the most impactful things of his life – his wife Linda and the game of golf. Chris met Linda in high school and knew immediately that she was “The One”. Linda, on the other hand, played hard to get. Their love deepened greatly over the years and it was apparent to anyone who knew them. They were blessed with two children, Ben and Beau. Their household was full of laughter and love, with the unwavering devotion of two incredible parents. 

Chris began working at the Wolverine Aluminum factory shortly after high school, but his passion for golf continued to blossom. In 1978, he started as a cashier at the Southgate Municipal Golf Course. He later became the manager and moved onto the PGA program on his way to become a Class A PGA Golf Professional where he served at the course for 42 years. Throughout his time at the golf course which later became known as “The Gate” and now “Southwinds Golf Club” he influenced the lives of hundreds if not thousands of people. He gave countless lessons and started the Junior League program in Southgate which started from only a handful of kids to nearly 350 junior golfers playing every Friday morning throughout the Summer – an incredible feat. 

He agreed to lead the Asher Golf Program, an initiative for young adults at an alternative high school pursuing their GEDs. At first, he wasn’t sure what to expect. But that program became one of the most meaningful parts of his career. He’d come home with stories about students—many who had never set foot on a golf course, some with troubled pasts—telling him that golf had changed their lives. That he had changed their lives.

Chris of course was not content to stop there. He went on to design a nine-hole “Foot Golf” course—affectionately named “The Footie.” Imagine a mash-up of golf and soccer, built into a hill with heather and trees, just behind the 10th tee. That was him: always thinking creatively, always welcoming more people to the game he loved. He also had an insatiable love of music with a particular passion for the guitar. The Beatles were easily his greatest inspiration, their music was a lifelong fascination. He could recount nearly every detail of their history, cite obscure facts with ease, and devoured nearly every book written about them. Their songs stayed with him always.

In February 2023, he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer: peritoneal mesothelioma. He underwent a 12-hour surgery and spent two weeks in the hospital. But true to form, he came back swinging. Chris was devout in his faith and spoke often of how God had saved his life. In the fall of 2023, he danced at his son Ben’s wedding in the mountains of Tennessee, went on one of the most incredible family trips to Scotland and Italy in May of 2024, and managed to play over 100 rounds of golf.  He became affectionately known as “Mr. One in a Million.”

To say that he will be missed does not do justice to the space he leaves behind. Chris was not just a remarkable husband, father, uncle, and friend; he was a role model who influenced the lives of hundreds of young people. He lived with a rare and relentless passion, savoring each moment with his family and wringing every drop from the days he was given. He loved his wife and children with no bounds. He taught numerous people how to play golf – but more than that he taught us how to live with passion, humility, humor, and love. 

May you find eternal peace walking the fairways of Augusta with those who went before you, enjoy perfect lies and endless daylight. Save us all a tee time Chris, we’ll see you on the first tee when we meet again. 

Memorial contributions are appreciated to Fish & Loaves Community Food Pantry or JFW Gastric Cancer Program (For JFW contributions, please follow the link and scroll to the bottom for "Additional Donation" /  Enter amount and click anywhere on the right of screen to populate billing information).