Grant Robert Blaney, 86, died peacefully in his home on January 12, 2021/
Grant was born on September 26, 1934 in Mount Pleasant, Michigan to parents Robert and Margaret (nee Zemek) Blaney. He loved football and began his career at Amundsen High School in Chicago before attending Iowa State. He went on to receive his MA at Indiana University. He was named head coach of the Buffalo Grove High School football team and led them to win the 1986 state championship. In 2011, the school renamed the stadium to The Grant Blaney Stadium. He was a proud member of the United States Army and was a devoted and loyal leader. He will be greatly missed.
Grant is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Barbara (nee Svenonius) Blaney, his children, Linda (Don) Cashmore, Cindi Manning, and Brett (Joni Liddy) Blaney, his grandchildren, Adam (Ivan), Katie (Matt), Dan (Liz), and Grant, and his great-grandchildren, David, Lincoln, Easton, and Jack.
Services for Grant will be private.
Please leave a video condolence by entering your name and click the "Record" button below. You can always preview your video prior to submitting it. Please note that you may be prompted to allow DefioreFuneral access to your camera.
So sorry to hear of Grants death. He was love by so many for all the great things he did for so many. He will be missed
January 14, 2021 I had the good fortune to teach at Buffalo Grove High School and have Grant Blaney as a friend. Grant was a teacher (PE) first, and a coach second. He made PE fun and inspired all his football players to do their very best in football and in all else they do. Grant was a 1990 Illinois Football Coach Hall member. I took my Grandson Gehrig to Buffalo Grove High School on September 22, 2010, to meet Coach Blaney on the night the football field was named in his honor. I send my prayers to the Blaney Family Dr. Charles W. Birch, Morris, Illinois, teacher/coach in H.S. District 214 - 1967 to 2001
So sad to hear of Coach's passing and sending prayers for his family. Coach Blaney made men out of those who had the privilege of playing for him and being part of his world. So many life lessons he shared with us and gave us, even though we might not have fully appreciated them at the time (1973 - 1975). Coach pushed and encouraged us and some how got us to achieve things we probably had no business achieving. He was a believer and a motivator and an enabler. He was a uniter and a giver and just a wonderful human being who had faith in so many of us and taught us how to be athletes, and responsible human beings. We are so lucky to have had him in our lives at that particular time in our lives.....forever grateful and so sad for the current times where we are unable to pay respects to Coach and his family in person. He lived his life well. He did it right. And he leaves behind an army of grateful men who appreciate the bonds created by our experiences together with Coach. He may be gone but Coach will certainly never be forgotten by those of us whom he touched. Peace Coach and Peace to your family. You will always be with us.