Obituary of Arthur Grinnell Sr.

Arthur M. Grinnell, Sr., age 70, born September 15, 1945 in Cortland, NY of Freetown, NY passed peacefully on August 24th, 2016 surrounded by his family. Son of the late Francis and Bernice (Hull) Grinnell, Art was an accomplished life-long local dairy farmer, businessman, family man, and friend to many. He first discovered his love for farming starting at 10years old working on neighboring farms of the Bacons’ & Fishers’ During that time he met his best friend, Joanne Grinnell, who he soon married. He then started his farming career with Joanne’s father, Arthur Webber on their family farm in the Cold Brook area of Homer, NY. Art & Joanne soon rented their own farm in Apulia Station for a time before becoming partners with Arthur Webber again on the Webber Farm. In 1967, Art & Joanne bought Mockingbird Hill Farm in McGraw, NY where they have remained until the present for nearly 50 years. On this hill, they raised three sons; Art Jr., Eric, & Jeff teaching them the importance of family values and hard work. In 1988, Art & Jeff entered into a partnership expanding the family farm steadily over the years to become one of the top dairies in NYS. Art was also civically engaged throughout his adult life as a 4-H Leader, Justice of the Peace & Councilman for the Town of Freetown for many years. He was also a member of many agricultural committees throughout his long Agricultural Career. Art always demonstrated concern for the well-being of others in addition to family and friends. His love of family, friends, and his farm is his legacy. Even while struggling for many years with his own health concerns, he never lost sight of those things and helping others when and where he could. He was very proud of all of his family and their many accomplishments. He is survived by his loving wife of 54years, Joanne; his siblings Shirley Randolph (Bob), Nancy Baldwin (Butch), Neil Grinnell and in-laws Shirley (Corky) Finn and Karen Webber. Three sons Art Jr. (Julie), Eric (Janie), and Jeff (Lisa). He has six grandchildren, Stephanie Deitsch (Jeff), Adam Grinnell, Chad Miller (Amber), Kristin Kashuba (Jordan), Matthew Grinnell (Jessie), Heidi Grinnell (KJ) and six great-grandchildren, Ysabelle, Maddyson, Camdyn, Maddox, Kylie, and Lathan. He was pre-deceased by his sister Rosie Ellis (Sam), sister-in-law Nancy Grinnell, Brother-in-law Lynn Webber and grandson Shane Miller. The family would like to thank Cortland Regional Home Health Services, St. Joseph’s Homecare, Guthrie Hospital and Our Lady of Lourde’s Hospital in Binghamton for the excellent care during his final time with us. The family has requested donations to the American Heart Association in lieu of flowers. A memorial service will be held Saturday 1pm with calling hours to follow until 4pm at the Wright Beard Funeral Home Inc., 9 Lincoln Ave. Cortland, NY. A dinner reception will follow at the Homer Avenue United Methodist Church. Condolences may be left at www.wright-beard.com