Gus Grant

Gus Grant (Gustavo Rudolfo Felix Odio de Granda), 83 of Wallingford, PA passed away on February 19, 2026. Gus was born in Havana, Cuba, the second child to Dr. Gustavo Odio de Granda and Dolores Antonia Paula Odio de Granda of Havana, Cuba. He is survived by his daughter Juliette Dripps, his son-in-law Stephen Dripps, and grandsons Cole and Lucas Dripps all of Media, PA as well as his daughter, Alexis Dolores Grant, his son-in-law Christian Naventi, and granddaughter Lourdes Naventi, all of Petaluma, CA. He is also survived by his brother Alvaro de Granda, and sister-in-law, Ilse de Granda of Fort Collins, CO, and several cherished nephews and nieces.

Gus left Havana in February of 1961 and returned to Philadelphia, where he had attended two years of middle school while his brother Alvaro attended Curtis Institute of Music. Having to permanently leave his beloved parents and country as a young adult shaped him, deepened his compassion and strengthened his resolve to keep moving forward. He worked tirelessly. Every step in his life was built on determination, sacrifice, and perseverance, and he has been an inspiration to us all.

Music was his greatest gift, and he communicated his emotions through the piano. Gus started playing the piano at age 4 with various teachers associated with the Havana Symphony, earning a degree in music and from the Colegio de Belen in Havana, a Pre-Med Bachillerato.

Shortly upon arriving in Philadelphia, Gus enrolled in classes at the University of Pennsylvania where he was lucky enough to meet an exceptional family-oriented woman, Virginia Ott, at a university dance. Her family welcomed him and treated him with kindness and love. They began a beautiful life together.

Gus' social and entrepreneurial personality led to a life in many careers, including restaurant owner, court reporter, and selling products and services as diverse as microscopes, real estate, insurance, and church furniture. He finally landed in health care, where he helped countless families in the Philadelphia area obtain health insurance, and continued to service clients until the present.

Love and family were his greatest pride. He cherished his time spent with his three grandchildren, sharing his love of music, international cuisine, travel, and giving them his unconditional love. He also inspired his daughters and other family members to play musical instruments. He was an avid chess player who taught his daughters, grandchildren, and nephews how to play, which inspired his grandsons to join the chess club with excitement. In addition, Gus provided countless moments of counsel to family members and close friends.

Gus was an incredibly joyful spirit who brought the light and curiosity with him wherever he went and was beloved to all who knew him.

The funeral ceremony will be Friday, February 27 at St. John Chrysostom in Wallingford, PA. Visitation is at 9:30 am, with funeral mass following at 10:30 am. The church address is 617 S. Providence Rd, Wallingford, PA 19086. Interment, Calvary Cemetery, Media.