Frank Granger

Frank Granger, of Waukesha, passed away on Thanksgiving, November 24, 2011 at his home at the age of 82. Frank was born on September 21, 1929 in Racine, WI, the only son of Frank and Marion (nee Thompson) Granger. He graduated from Racine Park High School in 1949. He went on to Murray State in Kentucky before joining the Marine Corps. He served during the Korean War and was stationed in Nevada. He went on to play football and baseball at the University of Wisconsin LaCrosse.  He was the starting quarterback for three years and the starting 3rd baseman for 4 years, lettering seven times. He began his teaching and coaching career at Waterloo High School where he was the head football coach and head baseball coach for two years from 1957-59. He then went on to Mineral Point High School where he became the head football coach and head track coach for two years from 1959-61. He stepped down in Mineral Point to be an assistant football coach under Joe Blanco and head baseball coach at Catholic Memorial High School. As a baseball coach he won a conference title in 1967.  After a one-year stint as an assistant football at New Berlin West High School, he became the first head football and baseball coach at New Berlin Eisenhower High School. He held the position for 17 years and the football position for 21 years. As the football coach at Eisenhower he won nine conference titles including five straight from 1985-89. He took the Lions to seven state playoff appearances and was runner-up twice. The school had only three losing seasons and three unbeaten seasons. In his last seven seasons, Eisenhower went 47-5 for a .904 winning percentage. He was named Waukesha Freeman Coach of the Year in 1981 and UW-LaCrosse Alumni Coach of the Year in 1986. He was also named the head coach for the South All-Star team in the Wisconsin Shrine High School football game. He ended his career with a 143-81-4 overall record and was inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2003. Frank retired from teaching and coaching in 1991. Afterwards he assisted in football programs at Carroll College, Waukesha North, Kettle Moraine, Cedarburg and Wauwatosa West High Schools. He will be sadly missed by his wife of 54 years Jean (nee Carberry) Granger of Waukesha, daughter Therese Granger of Jacksonville, NC, sons: Timothy (Heather) of Waukesha, Patrick of Waukesha and Brian of Loganville, GA and his four grandchildren: Conor, Tyler, Shea and Cassidy. He was the last surviving sibling of his five sisters: Claire, Betty, Lucille, Kathleen and Doris.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 from 4:00PM until the 8:00PM vigil service at Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave., Waukesha. Services continue on Thursday, December 1 at the funeral home with prayers at 9:30AM followed by a procession to St. William Catholic Church, 440 N. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha, for the 10:30AM funeral Mass. The Very Reverend Curt Frederick will preside. Interment will follow at Wisconsin Memorial Park in Brookfield. Memorials are appreciated to New Berlin Eisenhower Athletic Association, 4333 South Sunnyslope Road, New Berlin, WI 53151, to Catholic Memorial High School, 601 E. College Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53186, or to ProHealth Home Care & Hospice, 1020 James Drive Suite E, Hartland, WI 53029. For further information, please call Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services at (262) 547-4035, or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave the family an on-line tribute message.