Robert G. Grochowalski

Robert Gilbert Grochowalski, 87, died Monday, January 18, 2016 at Altercare of Bucyrus following a brief illness.



He was born March 14, 1928 in Toledo, Ohio to the late Walter and Cecilia (Kurek) Grochowalski. Robert grew up learning to make the most of every situation and had a great appreciation for what resources he had and could reuse. He attended school in Attica and on August 24, 1951 married Rosemary H. (Hiler) who survives.



Bob worked on a farm before being drafted into the US Army where he was stationed at White Sands, New Mexico and Pasadena, California with his background in guided missile protection. He was honorably discharged in 1957 and returned to New Washington where he began working in automotive sales and service; a career which spanned 45 years and included places such as Bishop Buick, Studer Perrin and Wingate Ford to name a few. Not one to sit still, Robert continued working after retirement in construction and maintenance. He worked at Meijer for a short time, and then at Walmart for 17 years before he retired for a second time.



He was a faithful member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and he enjoyed socializing at the Bucyrus Moose Lodge. In years past, Robert bowled, golfed, played men’s softball and did some hunting but Bob’s favorite pastime was fishing. He also spent some time creating knickknacks in his wood shop and will be remembered as a master of his marigolds as he could get them to grow anywhere. When Bob and Rosemary got “a little buggy”, which was about every weekend, they’d load up the car and as Willie Nelson sings “they’d get back on the road again”, which was a favorite song of theirs as they traveled to visit family or find an area polka festival.



As busy as Bob’s life was, his family was always a priority. There was always time to throw the ball or share some quality family time fishing and loving his wife was the key to their many years of happiness. In addition to Rosemary, his wife of 64 years, Bob is survived by his greatest accomplishments which include five children, Ben (Kathy) Grochowalski, Robert (Judy) Grochowalski, Pamela (Rob) Parcher all of Bucyrus, Patricia (Allen) Clem of Chagrin Falls and Lori Ann Grochowalski of Bucyrus; seven grandchildren, Christin Clem, Cory Clem, Anny (Chad) Gebhardt, Jessica (Tim) Shelenberger, Lizzy Parcher, Heidi (Bob) Boone and Danielle (Edd) Vilt; 13 great grandchildren and a sister-in-law, Mabel Grochowalski of Galion. He is proceeded in death by his brother, Joe.



His family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, January 21 at Wise Funeral Service. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Friday at Holy Trinity Church, with Fr. John Miller as celebrant. Military rites will be provided by the US Army honor guard and will be conducted outside of the church following the funeral mass. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery at a later time.



The family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Sorrowful Mother Shrine through the funeral home. Memories are encouraged to be shared by visiting his Tribute Page at www.wisefuneral.com.