ROCKPORT — Grant Paul Loavenbruck, 79, husband of Angela Loavenbruck, died at his home in Rockport, surrounded by his three children and his wife after a year-long battle with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

Grant was unique in the world. Till his last day he truly never met a stranger, and was masterful at letting everyone who crossed his path know he had time to give them special attention, and had a seat at his table for them.

Dr. Loavenbruck was born in Rochester, New York in December, 1941, the son of the late Jack and Phyllis (Axon) Loavenbruck. He attended West High School in Rochester, and received his BA in Psychology and MA in Social Work from SUNY Buffalo. He completed his doctorate in social work at Columbia University School of Social Work.

Dr. Loavenbruck had a long and distinguished career in Public Administration with staff and executive positions at the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and United Neighborhood Centers. He worked for many years at the United Way in New York City before becoming Professor of Public Administration and Director of Continuing Professional Education at Pace University, and maintaining an active practice in family and adolescent therapy in New City, New York for over 30 years prior to retiring full time to his Rockport home in 2018.
 
As those who knew him can attest, Grant loved to befriend everyone he could, from the cashiers at the grocery store, to the clerks at the bank, to his children’s friends, to people walking past his driveway. No one was safe – he was famously present and ready to offer you an entry to talk about yourself, or hear about his children if you preferred. He was compulsively generous and kind and open hearted. He loved his friends and neighbors unreservedly, and was never happier than in the company of his children and grandchildren. Throughout his whole life Grant was a passionate and excellent golfer, and was a student of every aspect of the game, honing his skills until the last year. He was also an enthusiastic trumpet player who spontaneously cheered the neighborhood with his music.

Grant is survived by Angela Loavenbruck, his wife of 55 years, and by his three children and six grandchildren – Adam and Erin Loavenbruck (Owen and Indy); Zachary and Angie Santomauro (Max and Dylan) and Pia Mara Santomauro (Atticus and Angelina).

He is also survived by his three sisters, his nieces and nephews and the large extended Loevenbruck family in France.

His family is heartbroken at his loss, but comforted by the full and generous life he lived and the hundreds of lives he touched.
 
Memorial Donations to the American Red Cross, especially through blood and platelet donations, or to the MDS Foundation would be greatly appreciated.

There will be a graveside ceremony in June and a celebration of Grant’s life in August. The family wishes to thank the staff of the Cancer Care Department at Pen Bay for their tireless efforts on Grant’s behalf.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com. Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 9 Mountain Street, Camden.