Cal Granius

A gentleman in every sense of the word – Carlton (Cal) Julian Granius was loved by his wife, wide circle of friends, relatives, children, and grandchildren. He was unfailingly kind, accepting, and hardworking. Cal had a sense of adventure, business acumen, and a spirited sense of humor.

Cal, 80, passed away peacefully at home on November 26, 2022 after a fight against cancer. He lived a full and blessed life, and he will be remembered for his generosity and bravery.

Born in Duval Wisconsin in May 1942, Cal was the youngest son of John and Anna (Delwiche) Granius. He attended Saints Peter and Paul Elementary School and graduated from Premontre High School in 1960. Cal attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering and received his Associate Degree in Mechanical Design from Milwaukee Area Technical College. While pursuing his degree he was awarded an engineering apprenticeship in Namur, Belgium where he broadened his engineering experience, honed his French language skills, and enjoyed meeting his many Belgian relatives.

In 1966 he married his soulmate – Bonnie Katers. In 2016, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary surrounded by family and friends. The couple spent the first two years of their married life in Alexandria, Virginia where Cal served honorably in the U.S. Army as a Specialist Topographer. Cal and Bonnie returned to Green Bay where they spent the rest of their lives.

Cal worked for Northwest Engineering for 20 years designing cranes and excavators. For the next 35 years, he worked constructing and selling conveyor systems to automate production lines at industries throughout Northeast Wisconsin. In 1994 he established Conveyor Integration Inc., which allowed him to work from home and be his own boss. Cal owned and managed several properties including townhouses, office buildings, and an industrial building.

While Cal had the analytical mind of an engineer, he had the heart of a humanitarian. He donated his time and money to his church, charities, and cultural institutions. He loved the outdoors and he regularly contributed to the East River Trail, the restoration of Bay Beach, and the Botanical Gardens. His dedication to his friends and family and being there to help whoever needed him - whenever they needed him - was one of Cal’s outstanding characteristics. His professional and charitable lives merged when he designed a conveyor system for a local food bank that safely helped the workers better serve recipients.

Cal was an intrepid traveler who loved to visit his children wherever they lived - throughout the United States, Europe, and Latin America. He liked to see how many modes of transportation he could use – which on one trip to Eastern Europe included a plane, boat, train, bus, subway, and car. Cal was an expert skier and instructed in both Aspen, Colorado and Charnita, Pennsylvania. He played and instilled a love of tennis in his children and competed in several men’s golf leagues. Cal was an active member of a biking club, adventure club, and Neighborly Dance Club. When he wasn’t untangling his kids’ fishing lines he loved to catch and cook perch and other lake fish.

Cal was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, son, and friend. This love was reciprocated in full. Young children gravitated to Cal due to his calm and welcoming demeanor. He spent many weekend mornings watching or reading cartoons with his grandchildren.

Cal is survived by his children Mark (Laurie Travis) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Todd in Laguna Niguel CA, and Jesse (Julie) in Denver CO; grandchildren Mira, Aden, and Lena; his brother’s wife Loretta Granius; in-laws Jean Vanden Branden, James Katers, and Bill Katers (Patricia). He was preceded in death by his wife Bonnie (Katers) Granius; parents; brother Myron (Mike) Granius; in-laws Audrey Katers, Clifford Katers (Bernice), Donna Katers, and Don Vanden Branden; and parents in-law Charles and Helena Katers.

A funeral service will be held at Resurrection Catholic Parish on Saturday December 10 with visitation starting at 9:00 a.m. and the service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Cotter Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Memorials and contributions may be given in Cal's name to the Green Bay Parks and Recreation Bay Beach Restoration Project, Green Bay Botanical Garden, or Heritage Hill State Park.