Rev. Dr. Theodore S. Grant, a long time Hicksville resident and noted Long Island minister, psychotherapist, social service entrepreneur and education died of pancreatic cancer on April 16, 2014. He was 86.
Born on June 18, 1927, the eldest son of Stanley and Dorothy Grant, “Ted” was raised on a farm in East Meadow. Grant served with distinction in the U.S. Army before entering the ministry. He received his undergraduate and master’s degree from Adelphi University. He earned his doctorate from San Francisco Seminary and was an adjunct professor at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University from 1979-90.
Grant’s ministry spanned over 55 years, touching numerous congregations on Long Island. He was the minister at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Laurelton, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Woodhaven, Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hicksville, interim minister at Parkway Community Church in HIcksville and the Community Church of East Willison, and served in a temporary capacity at many Long Island churches following his retirement.
For Grant, ministry and social work were deeply interconnected and his work extended well beyond his parishes. Under his tenure, Redeemer Lutheran Church became known as the “Church of the Open Door” because sections of the building were left open to provide a 24 hour sanctuary for the homeless. Grant also established one of the first soup kitchens for the homeless on Long Island at church in Hicksville. He served as founder of the Ecumenical Consultation Center in Hicksville, a nondenominational community mental health facility. He was a founder of Wally’s Circle that provided innovative support to Alzheimer’s patients and served on numerous county, community and professional boards over the years.
Service to the community was fundamental to Grant and no institution illustrated this better than his deep respect and engagement with the Hicksville Fire Department, where he served as chaplain for over 30 years.
Grant is survived by his wife of 62 years, Nancy Hollister Grant from Valley Stream, three children, seven grandchildren and one great granddaughter.
