Obituary of Grant Kikkert

Grant Kikkert of Montgomery, NY entered into rest on Thursday, September 14, 2023.  He was 53.

The son of Barbara Kinnaman Kikkert and the late Joseph Kikkert, he was born on February 11, 1970 in Suffern, New York.

He is survived by his wife, Jennie Kikkert, his sister Kimberly Kikkert, his brother Steve Kikkert, his brother-in-law Chris D’Ambrese, his nephews Adrian Kikkert and Joseph Kikkert, and his niece Michele Nichols.

Memorial visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 19 from 4 to 7pm at T.S. Purta Funeral Home, 22 Glenmere Avenue, Florida, NY 10921.

Funeral Mass will be held 10:30am on Wednesday, September 20 at St. Joseph Church, 20 Glenmere Avenue, Florida, NY 10921.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering or Hospice of Orange County.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the T.S. Purta Funeral Home.

To send a condolence online, please go to www.purtafuneralhome.com

Grant was a force of nature who dominated his surroundings with friendly conversation, care, and most of all, love.  When you were around Grant, you couldn’t help but feel his positive vibe and spirit.  He would engage anyone and everyone, and all left feeling better and with a new friend.  Grant was an extremely intelligent individual, who could conversate on any topic at the highest level.  A Political Science major in college, Grant wasn’t afraid to express how he felt on any given topic.  But always with a smile on his face.

Grant had an array of positive attributes and talents, but the one that was most evident was his empathy towards others.  Giving, almost to a fault, Grant was there in every capacity for everyone.  People would reach out to Grant for counsel, advice, and love.  And even when he was in some form of discomfort, Grant never turned anyone away.  When people make mention of those who are truly authentic and real in every way, Grant’s name was the first one brought up.

A powerhouse in the local Hudson Valley music scene for many years, Grant, along with his bandmates from Where’s Grant and Nuts in a Blender, entertained thousands of people.  Everyone remembers the big “G-man” on the right side smashing the keyboard, or, at times, playing trumpet as the band drove their fans crazy every weekend until the late hours. His former bandmates and everyone who was connected to that scene is sorely going to miss him.

An amazing husband, son, brother, uncle, and friend - Grant was a caretaker for all.  Everyone relied on him for comfort and support.  His wife Jennie was the love of his life.  They traveled the world and created a beautiful existence together. They hosted many holidays and summer bashes where everyone was welcome, with, of course, Grant doing all the work and Jennie doing all the “hosting”.  Their friends and family are going to remember Grant providing a warm, welcoming environment for those who needed some love and comfort during some difficult times of the year. And although you found yourself eating his food four hours after he said it would be ready, it was always delicious!

Grant is going to be greatly missed.  From his family and friends, his dog Lucy who he adored, former bandmates, the Boy Scouts who played a major role is his life growing up, cancer victims and survivors, and many many more.  With Grant’s passing, the sun shines a little less bright.

Gone way too soon and young, but forever loved by all.