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John T. Grace, 76
Founder of iconic Lopes Square hot dog stand
John T. Grace, 76, of Provincetown, died Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in West Palm Beach, Fla., after a brief illness. Mr. Grace was the husband of Helen (Cook) Grace.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1931, he was the son of the late John and Anna (Connolly) Grace. He joined the Air Force in 1951 and served eight years. He became a radar specialist and rose to the rank of technical staff sergeant. During those years he spent much of his time stationed at the Texas Towers and at the Air Force Base that was located in North Truro. He was the recipient of both the National Defense and Good Conduct medals. After leaving the service he worked at Systems Development Corporation and at Mitre Corporation, which at that time was located in South Truro.
After marrying his wife in 1957, he settled in North Truro for a few years and later in Provincetown. In 1963 he founded John’s Footlong Hot Dog Stand in Lopes Square, which he ran until 1997.
He was a well-known resident of Provincetown and an active member and volunteer of St. Peter the Apostle Parish. In 1976 he was recipient of the Marian Medal, a prestigious award bestowed by the Bishop of Fall River on certain Catholics who have contributed tirelessly of their time to their parish and diocese. He was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus and also served as Grand Knight and District Deputy. He was a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society and the Provincetown Lions Club. With other members of St. Vincent DePaul he was very involved in the building of the Monsignor Duart Chapel at St. Peter Cemetery and a generous benefactor of the parish.
For several years he spent his winters in Lake Worth, Fla., and was a member of St. Mathew Roman Catholic Church in that community.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Edward G. Boxer, and his wife, Marie Boxer; his two grandsons, John T. Boxer and his wife, Carrie, and Edward J. Boxer and his wife, Chantal, and his one granddaughter, Allison M. Boxer; his great-granddaughter, Olivia Grace Boxer; his one surviving brother, Richard Grace, of Palentia, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Mary, Robert and Edward Grace.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated in St. Peter the Apostle Church, 11 Prince St., Provincetown on Monday, Dec. 17, at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to visit his family on Sunday at the Gately-McHoul Funeral Home, 94 Harry Kemp Way in Provincetown, from 4 to 6 p.m. If desired, memorial contributions in his honor may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society c/o St. Peter the Apostle Church, 11 Prince St., Provincetown, MA 02657.
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William J. Cooper, 82
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Dec 13th, 2007