Bernard Marcel Grandjany, son of the esteemed French harpist Marcel Grandjany and his wife Georgette, was born on April 29, 1930, in Paris, France, and passed away peacefully in Queens, NY on February 24, 2024. His final act of kindness was to give the gift of life through organ and tissue donation, under the auspices of LiveOn NY.
Bernard’s family, living in Paris, became wary of the dangerous political climate in Europe and emigrated to the United States in 1936, residing in New York City. In 1937 at the age of seven years, Bernard began the study of the harp with his father. In his words, “it was not to be,” and his studies lasted only one month.
Bernard finished his schooling and began work with the American Red Cross. He rose through the ranks and eventually was appointed Assistant Director of Disaster Services in the greater New York area. He held this position for twenty-five years, retiring in 1981. Bernard, answering calls in the middle of the night, could be found at every fire, flood, and natural disaster affecting the citizens of New York City. He was tireless in his efforts to help those most impacted by disaster and loss. He was appointed Honorary Deputy Fire Chief with the Fire Department of New York in 1982 for services rendered to the City of New York by then Fire Commissioner Charles Hynes.
For many years Bernard escorted his mother and father on their annual summer trips driving throughout the United States, especially to see the natural beauty of the Western states. He developed a love of travel which continued in his retirement. He often took trips on ocean liners and trains across the United States and Canada to appreciate the natural beauty of both countries.
He was a member of The World Ship Society – Port of NY Branch, and The Steamship Historical Society of America.
Bernard lived in retirement in Rego Park, NY, and continued to attend harp-related events and concerts in the NYC area and to speak to American Harp Society (AHS) chapters about his father, Marcel Grandjany. Several short videos of Bernard reminiscing about his family are available in a playlist on the AHS YouTube channel.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 10:30 am at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church, 62-81 60th Place, Ridgewood, New York 11385, with interment alongside his parents immediately following in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 10 West Stevens Avenue, Hawthorne, New York, 10532. In lieu of flowers, contributions were requested in Bernard’s memory to The American Harp Society, which was founded by his father, at www.harpsociety.org/giving or PO Box 47, Granby, MA 01033.
Arrangements are by Hess-Miller Funeral Home, 64-19 Metropolitan Ave, Middle Village, N.Y. 11379.
