Keith Juan O. Grant | Firefighter, 49

Keith Juan O. Grant, 49, of Germantown, a Philadelphia firefighter, died of a heart attack Dec. 5 at his home.

Mr. Grant joined the Philadelphia Fire Department in 1994 after a career as a paramedic for private ambulance companies. He was assigned to Engine Company 43 in Center City for several years, and for the last year he was with Engine 9 in Mount Airy.

"He was a mentor to younger firefighters," said his supervisor, Capt. John Garrow, adding that Mr. Grant was an "extremely good cook" who prepared an extensive repertoire of great meals for coworkers. His chili won a trophy in a Fire Department cook-off.

Mr. Grant graduated in 1975 from University City High School, where he was named to the all-Public League football team in his senior year.

He later played flag football with neighborhood teams and played on Fire Department softball teams, said his father, Oscar O. Grant. He loved spending time with his four children, his father said.

In addition to his father, Mr. Grant is survived by his wife, Alisa; sons Keith, Elijah and Jordan; daughter Kyra; his mother, Carol; two brothers; three sisters; and two grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. today at the Church of the Holy Apostle and Mediator, 260 S. 51st St., Philadelphia, where friends may call after 9 a.m. Burial will be in Mount Lawn Cemetery, Sharon Hill.