PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Assistant Fire Chief Dennis “Denny” Grant died Tuesday after being seriously injured in a motorcycle crash over the weekend.
The Pere Marquette Township firefighter joined the department in 1986, where many of his colleagues regarded him as a positive and dedicated person.
“I met Denny when he joined the department,” Capt. Dan Marek told WZZM13. “He was just an outstanding person. Always positive and smiling. Denny also wasn’t afraid to dig in and work. It was his nature to just get in there and get the job done.”
Grant and his wife, Peg, were passing through a curved road on a motorcycle Sunday. When Grant waved to a passing motorcycle he lost control of the bike. Both were wearing helmets.
“As a first responder — especially in a small town — you always know that at some point in time you will respond on one of your own,” Marek said.
Grant was transported via an ambulance helicopter to a hospital. His wife sustained minor injuries and was released from a different hospital than Grant.
“I have lost a lot of people in my life but none as special as this father like figure in my life,” firefighter Rosann Cook said. “He and Peg have been there for me, hard times good times. Denny has given me his chest and arm to cry on when I needed and a smile and hug when times were good. He was my mentor on the fire department and the one I trusted more than anyone.”
Grant was set to retire January 2017.