The family of Wayne has asked us to share his obituary here locally, given the number of people he connected with while he was in this area.

Wayne Orville Granger, 76, beloved father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2026. Wayne was born on August 7, 1949, in Cooperstown, NY, to the late Orville and Thelma (Francis) Granger of Fort Plain, NY.

Wayne graduated from Fort Plain Central School in 1968 and then went on to earn an AAS in Business Management and Food Services degree from Dutchess County Community College in Poughkeepsie, NY from 1968 to 1971. He joined the United States Army in 1971, ultimately enlisting in the Army National Guard until 1995.

Wayne worked alongside his best friend, Paul Hawkins of Hawkins Auto Sales in Nelliston, NY, from 1971 to 1975, after which he pursued a career in retail sales while working for friends and the owners of Morton’s Clothing Store in Amsterdam, NY, from 1975-1982. He then began a 30-plus-year career as a chef for the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office in December 1989, retiring in April 2019. After retirement, Wayne moved to Wells, NY in 2020 to be near family.

While living in Cooperstown, he developed many lifelong friendships with Nancy and Bruce Hall, Ann Logan, the Nortons, and so many more treasured friends, including the late Dr. and Mrs. Wharton and the Anheuser-Busch family. Also, a special thank you to Bill and Karen Bellows of Wells for always being there for Wayne to take him to appointments, etc.

Wayne loved many outdoor activities, such as skiing, snowmobiling, motorcycle riding, not to mention his penchant for accumulating and driving many older model vehicles for himself and friends. Wayne especially enjoyed spending time with his family and, during his later years, watching his granddaughter play basketball.

Wayne is survived by his two sons, Jason (Sabra) Granger and Gavin (Amy) Granger, their mother, Leslie (Rick) Bell, and his two grandchildren, Avery Granger and Nick (Alyssa) Taylor. He is also survived by cousins, nieces, and nephews and will be greatly missed by all. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Brian Granger.

There will be a celebration of life on March 21, 2026, from 1-3 pm at the Cooperstown Veterans Club, 60 Main St., Cooperstown, NY, for family and friends.

Donations may be made to Saturday’s Bread in Oneonta, NY, or a soup kitchen of choice in memory of Wayne.