Grant F. Muraski as a Cub Scout – Circa 1942
Grant Francis Muraski was born on May 05, 1939 to Joseph F. Muraski (02/09/1904 – 12/16/1986) and Lillian (nee Leneski) Muraski (11/28/1909 – 11/13/1997) at home on the Northwest side of Chicago at 2849 N. Springfield Avenue. He was the fifth of seven children with four older sisters and two younger brothers. The family lived in a five room flat with two small bedrooms, a kitchen, dining room, living room, and one bathroom. The flat was luxurious by the standards of the day – heated by an oil stove in the dining room and a garbage burner in the kitchen. The children dressed in front of the oil stove during the cold winter months to stay warm.
Grant attended Our Lady of Grace Grammar School and Lane Tech High School and joined Scouting at the age of eight through Cub Pack 3123 at Kosciuszko Park. The pack was led by Cubmaster Frank Lizenski and consisted of 6 dens with 7-8 Cubs per den. Grant recalls that the Cubs did not achieve much in terms of rank advancement, but did a multitude of craft projects and had loads of fun. At age eleven, he joined Boy Scout Troop 112 which met at Kosciuszko Park and was sponsored by the American Legion Post in Logan Square. The Scoutmaster, Ed “Radio” Rejdukowski was a printer by trade and recently discharged from the U.S. Army after WWII; he was a very energetic and worked hard to make the Troop successful. Grant served the Troop as its Cheerleader, Senior Patrol Leader, JASM, and Assistant Scoutmaster. He was also a member of the Modoc Tribe, founded as a part of the Explorer Post to preserve the Indian heritage of Scouting. They performed Indian rituals at orphanages, Scout activities, news events, and even on television.
Grant and his colleagues camped at least every other month at Camp Fort Dearborn, Camp Kiwanis, and Camp Harrison (now the River Oaks Shopping Center on 159th St.). He attained the rank of Life Scout at the age of 14 and along with the older scouts formed Explorer Post 2112 where they wore green uniforms. Grant’s partner in crime in Scouting was (now Rev.) John Kaserow. They first met at age 11 in Kosciuszko Park when they signed up to join Scouting. Much to their surprise (and amusement) they found out that they were second cousins. They both ended up in the Buffalo Patrol and are always delighted if you ask them to do their Patrol yell for you!
Grant attended Owasippe Scout Camp as a youth, camping his first year at Stuart, then two years at Camp West, and finally at Lone Troop Camp at Hiawatha Beach. He recalls an ill-fatal project that he and others embarked upon during Pioneering Merit Badge wherein a most excellent raft was constructed using all Scouting approved lashings. Upon setting the raft afloat it promptly sank in the waters of Big Blue Lake, but at least was well constructed as they are quick to point out. Grant fondly remembers that camping at Owasippe taught him the valuable lesson of how to peel potatoes.
Grant was inducted into the Order of the Arrow on April 26, 1952 at Camp Fort Dearborn. The night was cold and the day began with a very small breakfast. The inductees worked hard all day being careful not to get a notch on the arrow they wore around their necks. He can still recalls that dinner that night was either very good, or he was extremely hungry!
The Arrowmen of the Troop 112 became members of the Checaugau Chapter as part of the Northwest District of Chicago. In 1954 the Chicago Council divided the original five Chapters/Districts into 26 new units requiring each District to form its own Chapter. Grant became a part of Cahokia Chapter in the Pathfinder District. He remembers when Sheridan Nunn (then working for ComEd as a maintenance man) transferred into their District from Austin District and called Grant about attending a Cahokia Chapter event.
Grant participated in the Chapter Ritual Team and chaired several Chapter Fellowships. He served as the Chapter Meteu, Vice-Chief, and Cahokia Chapter Chief (1958-1959), as well as the Junior Vice-Chief of Owasippe Lodge. Grant was recognized by his peers with the Vigil Honor on August 15, 1959 at Camp Owasippe. He recalls that it rained in the early morning hours and that the Induction Ceremony was held on the porch of Camp Beard’s Lodge. Rich Kaserow drove him up to Owasippe for the weekend. While keeping the Vigil that night his thoughts turned to what the future would hold: learning a trade, the possibility of marriage/family, and Scouting. Thereafter he became known as “Amigalinchagon” or Loud Ringer. Life beyond the Vigil Honor came quickly and he was offered position as a District Executive for the Chicago Council at a dinner sponsored by the Council at Camp Valley View. In addition to this career choice, he was also offered an apprenticeship in the sheet metal trade. After much consideration, he decided to set aside his Scouting days and concentrate on a career in the trades.
Shortly thereafter, he met the girl who would fill his heart at a Church Social group. On January 13, 1962, he and Geri were married and blessed with a son (Timothy), a daughter (Adrienne), and another son (Steven) within four years. While the young couple had to pay for the births of their three children, he and Geri joked that because Grant was the first boy born after three girls, and Geri the second born twin, that they were both delivered for free. Their inside joke was that they always considered themselves good for nothing!
Grant continued to learn the sheet metal trade and upon completing his apprenticeship was offered the position as one of the lead men in the shop. After two years, he was offered the position of coordinator and draftsmen; at the same time he was offered a teaching position at a vocational school where he would be able to teach his trade. After discussing options with his boss, he decided to stay in the shop which soon became a 65 hour per week job with constant deadlines. It wasn’t long before Grant decided that teaching might be a better option.
Grant’s tenure as an educator had him teaching at Westinghouse Vocational High School where he served as the Department Chairman for 15 years and was recognized with a Golden Apple Award as Teacher of the Year. After leaving Westinghouse he spent the last five years of his teaching career at Prosser High School where he taught both basic and advanced drafting classes and a computer graphics class before retiring in 2002.
As his family grew, Scouting continued to be an integral part of his life. His daughter Adrienne became a Brownie, continued through Junior Scouts and finally became a Cadet where she achieved the highest honor in Girl Scouting. His youngest son Steven joined the Cub Scouts at age eight and remained with the program for three years. During this time the local Pack needed a Cubmaster so Grant answered the call and served as the leader of Pack 59 for five years. He finally had to give up the Pack as he was teaching an extended day, attending college, and working construction side jobs at the same time. Although busy working outside the home the wonderful girl he married raised their children and instilled in them the values they have today. Upon his retirement after 34 years of teaching, Geri and Grant played catch-up with their lives, traveling and enjoying each other’s company.
Grant feels that no matter where his career took him or decisions he made, Scouting always helped to serve as a guide throughout his life. It is his wish that every person who has been involved with Scouting uses it as a guide and learn from its lessons and shared experiences to guide their own lives.
Grant F. Muraski – circa 2010