The death of Rev. John Leander Grattan, a son of the Miramichi and a retired priest of the Diocese of Saint John, occurred at his residence on Sunday, December 5, 2010. Father Grattan was born on July 3, 1934 in Douglastown, the son of Clifford James Grattan and Catherine Driscoll. He was a graduate of St. Thomas College and St. Thomas University, Chatham and Holy Heart Seminary, Halifax, NS. He was ordained to the Priesthood in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Saint John on June 2, 1963 by the Most Reverend Alfred B. Leverman, Bishop of Saint John. After ordination he served as Associate Pastor in St. Anthony's Parish, Fredericton; Assumption Parish, Saint John; St. Pius X Parish, Saint John; Stella Maris Parish, Saint John; Holy Rosary Parish, Minto; St. Rose Parish, Saint John; and St. Michael's Parish, Chatham. He also served as Pastor of St. Peter and Paul Parish, Bartibog Bridge; St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Red Bank First Nation; St. James Parish, Sevogle; St. Ann's Parish, Kingsclear First Nation; and for many years as Administrator and later Pastor of St. Ann's Parish, Esginoopetitj First Nation, from where he retired in August, 2009. Even after his retirement he continued to serve at the Atlantic Institution in Renous and with the Apostleship of the Sea. In 1996 he was appointed by Bishop Troy as Bishop's Liaison with Aboriginal Peoples, a position which reflected his deep love and respect for the First Nations Peoples of the Diocese and his many years of living and ministering with them. Father Grattan is survived by his sister Anne McLaughlin (late Charles), sister-in-law Ruth Grattan (late George) and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers George and Clifford (late Bertha), his sisters Mary, Rowena Connell (late Aloysius) and Theresa Astles (late Stuart).
Father Grattan will be resting at Maher's Funeral Home, Miramichi, on Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 pm. His remains will be translated to St. Samuel's Church, Miramichi for visitation on Wednesday from 2 to 4 pm and from 7 to 9 pm. Evening Prayer will be celebrated in St. Samuel's Church on Wednesday evening at 7 pm. Father's Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Most Reverend Robert Harris, Bishop of Saint John, on Thursday, December 9 at 2 pm. Interment will follow in St Samuel's Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy donations to the memorial of ones choice would be appreciated. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Maher's Funeral Home Miramichi serving the Miramichi and surrounding areas for 100 years. Telephone 773-4321.