John Francis Grennan

John Francis Grennan passed away peacefully on July 18, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He leaves behind a legacy of love and dedication that will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him. We will miss him dearly but are comforted by the sweet reunion with his true love.

John was born October 16, 1944, to John "Jack” E. Grennan and Doris Saylor in Grand Island, Nebraska. His birth made the local newspaper.

John met the love of his life, Rosemary Haight, in high school, and they were married on February 17, 1966, in Salt Lake City. John was a devoted husband to Rosemary, with whom he shared a wonderful 54 years of marriage. They were blessed with four amazing boys: Chad, Evan, Brian, and Doug. John was also a proud grandfather to six beautiful grandchildren, each of whom brought immense joy and pride into his life. He enjoyed life to the fullest and loved being surrounded by his family, especially his grandkids.

John loved music and playing guitar. He was an accomplished bluegrass guitar player. John’s music resonated deeply with those who heard him play. His talent and passion for music were evident in every note. He passed along this passion to all four of his boys, who all share this same joy. You would often hear John say, "How many more guitars do you need? Just one more."

Above all, John was a great provider who worked tirelessly to ensure his family was well taken care of. His love for his wife and children was unwavering, and he always put their needs before his own. He was an example for his boys, showing them how to be loving husbands and fathers. His dedication and commitment to his family were the cornerstones of his life, and his enduring love will continue to inspire them. John demonstrated that he had more than enough heart to share, becoming a wonderful father to his daughters-in-law and a devoted grandfather.

John was eternally loyal to his family, easily extending this quality to the spouses that came to help his family grow. It was always amazing to see how he could immediately focus on each person’s needs, even when everyone was together. To our father, there was no such thing as a little thing. He memorized the details that mattered to each person and committed them to his manner. You could see this in how he supported his wife, his children, his daughters-in-law, and his grandchildren. John made a deliberate effort in each individual's life, never shying away from showing his love and support for his family.

Thank you, Dad, for being our hero and teaching us so much, from riding a bike and tying shoes to lecturing us on how Microsoft Office isn’t a lame program for bean counters and how to do our own taxes. Most importantly, you taught us how to be good men to our wives and be there for our kids. We love you and are so happy you are at peace. We still don’t understand why you liked black licorice so much... it’s gross, lol.

We'll miss our talks, discussing guitars, hearing all your stories, and laughing while quoting movies. Thank you for being our dad; we are so lucky to be your sons! Love ya, Pops! Rest in peace, Dad. Your love and legacy will endure for generations.

John is survived by his children: Evan (Melissa), Brian (Jenn), and Doug (Jess); grandchildren: Emily, Mason, Jameson, Oliver, Jayde, and Samuel; his brother Pat (Jackie Bell); and sisters-in-law: Diane Harris, Kathy (Gary) Hodgman, and Nancy Haight.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary; his son, John Chadwick; his parents, Jack and Doris; and his brothers-in-law, Bob Haight and Joe Harris.

As we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the incredible life he lived and the lasting impact he had on his family and friends. John will be laid to rest at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park on August 2nd at 10:00 am, 3401 Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. The family will hold a celebration of life afterward at 3071 West Don Salvador Ave. Taylorsville UT 84129 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation in John's name. Donation Link: https://give.huntsmancancer.org/page/30815/donate/1