McGill’s Band bids farewell to Oscar Grant

16 years ago

By Karen Donato-Duff
Special to the Pioneer Times

    McGill’s Community Band played their final summer concert as a farewell to longtime member, Oscar Grant, who recently passed away.
ImagePhoto courtesy of Karen Donato-Duff
TRIBUTE — McGill’s Community Band played their final summer concert as a farewell to longtime member, Oscar Grant, who recently passed away. His empty chair was placed near the podium in tribute to the popular coronet player and friend to all.

    On a beautiful balmy night Aug. 21 in Monument Park “they all came” to enjoy the music played by the 96 members of this local group of musicians. The audience of at least 200 stood for a moment of silence in honor of “one missing.” One chair near the front of the trumpet section displayed a black cloth, the McGill’s red vest and a coronet in honor of their beloved friend and fellow musician, Oscar.
    Bandmates — Dr. Joe Beasley, Paul LaPointe and Jerry Riley — played two special selections in remembrance of their fellow brass section member. The first, Trumpeter’s Lullaby,” featured Beasley on trumpet, followed by LaPointe playing, “Young Man With A Horn.”
    Oscar had been a member since the organization of the band in 1985. He loved music from his early years and in 1940 was a member of the National Guard Band playing for those soldiers protecting our country. Returning to Houlton in 1945 he continued his love of music by joining a band in Woodstock and other local bands, playing at a variety of venues throughout the county. Oscar owned and operated a local ice cream parlor called Robinson’s in Market Square, where York’s Books is now located. Barbara Swimm worked for him in his shop and remembered him fondly as her employer.
    Oscar’s grandson, James Grant recalled his grandfather as a great guy. James lived nearby as a young child and spent a lot of time with him and his grandmother, Ada. “Gramp could always cheer you up if you were having a bad day,” he said. He couldn’t remember his grandfather ever being angry. He was known for being happy with the simple things in life. He didn’t need the new high tech electronics; just keep it simple. He loved to watch sports, or just listen to the play by play of a ballgame on the radio.
    Oscar loved to fish! He knew all the local fishing spots and was often parked near a bridge casting a line in hopes to catch a trout. Oscar also looked forward to the trips to camp and anywhere else members of the family were going to be.
    Oscar was up and out around the community on a daily basis, health permitting. He did his errands and met his coffee buddies at McDonald’s almost every day to discuss the problems of the world and how to solve them. There was always lots of laughter coming from that particular table, so I am not sure just how many problems were solved. However, they had a good time, and all that laughter just may have added a few more years to his life that spanned almost 92 years. Even though he had faced half a dozen surgeries in recent years, he persevered either to get back to play in the band, or fish a little more or just visit with friends in the community.
    Oscar was a life-long member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and often said that you were given seven days to enjoy, surely you can give an hour or so on Sunday to show your appreciation of the life you have been given. We all can learn from this man’s way of life. He lived life with a great work ethic, attitude and a little humor thrown in.
    Oscar was featured in a “Salute to Seniors” article published in 2004. In that article he said that he had been born in his house on Green Street and that is where he wanted to finish his life, and that is just what he did. Farewell good friend, may your days be filled with music and laughter.