Grant J. Aitken

December 29, 1934 - January 16, 2023

Grant, a proud San Franciscan native, passed away peacefully at home on January 16, 2023 at the age of 87. He leaves behind the love of his life, Barbara Lombos Aitken, his wife of 60 years. Grant will be remembered with great fondness and affection by family, friends and former colleagues.

A 2nd generation San Franciscan, Grant was born to Grant and Theresa Aitken in 1935. Proud of his Mission District roots, Grant enjoyed coming of age in the San Francisco of the 1940s and 1950s. Grant graduated from Mission High school then attended San Francisco State University eventually graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1964.

After his younger brother, Ernie, graduated from high school in 1958, the neighborhood boys decided to enlist in the US Army all together! They all served 2 years and came home to San Francisco safely to start their lives.

Even as a young man, Grant wanted to give back to his community and his entire career was one of public service. Grant joined the San Francisco Police Department but perhaps inspired by 2 paternal uncles and his younger brother who were firefighters, he transferred to the San Francisco Fire Department for a short time. He then returned to the SFPD all the while continuing his education earning himself a Master Of Arts Degree in Education in 1980.

Grant’s true calling was education and he became a beloved Industrial Arts teacher at McAteer High school from where he retired.

Grant and Barbara have been residents of San Rafael for more than 50 years. Following retirement, they traveled extensively and loved spending time at their home in La Quinta, CA. Grant enjoyed playing golf for the love of the game but most especially for the chance to spend quality time with friends. He was an avid sports fan and supporter of our Bay Area teams.

Grant was a kind, considerate and thoughtful man who was guided and comforted by his faith. He enjoyed meeting people and making new friends, always interested in what others had to say. Everyone who knew him will say he was fun, interesting and easy to be around.

Grant is survived by his loving wife, Barbara, his nieces Roslyn and Carol Aitken, his nephews Karey and Dean Loutas, their mother Stephania Loutas and too many dear friends to list. He was preceded in death by his younger brother, Ernie Aitken, SFFD.

A funeral mass will be held for Grant at St.Anselm Church in Ross, CA on Friday, January 27 at 11:00 a.m. followed my a private interment at Valley Memorial Park Cemetery