Obituary of John A. Gronau

East Schodack  

 John (Jack) Arthur Gronau, Sr., 90, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on March 1, 2019. Jack is survived by his wife, Wilma.  Jack was born and raised in Watervliet, NY and was the son of the late Helen M. Doescher and Arthur Gronau, and the stepson of the late John Tully.  Jack attended St. Brigid’s School and the Lasalle Institute, graduating from Watervliet High School.

After high school, Jack served four years in the Navy, during the Korean conflict. Jack was employed by General  Electric and the Watervliet Arsenal as a skilled machinist retiring in 1986. Jack enjoyed the outdoors and spent many a summer at the  shore of Cape Cod and New Jersey with his family. He was an avid reader and sports enthusiast, who not only enjoyed watching basketball, but was a pretty good player in his day.  Jack was a lifetime member of the VFW #729 and had many friends there.

In addition to his wife, Wilma, Jack is survived by his children: John A. (MaryAnne) Gronau,Jr., Janice (Robert) Davis, Mary Grace (James) Petralito, Thomas (late Mary Beth) Gronau, Paul (Donna) Gronau. His step children: Larry (Cecile) Gregory, Doris (Harry) Livingston.  Jack is also survived by his loving grandchildren: Christian (Megan) Davis, Jack Gronau, Kyle and Daniel Gronau.  And his great grandchildren: Emma, Catherine and Amelia Davis, as well as several step grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Jack is also survived by his sister Lynn (late Larry) Fernandez, Larry (Mary) Tully, Timothy (Connie) Tully and the late David (Marilyn) Tully. Jack also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

There will be a ceremony at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, with full military honors, to celebrate Jack’s life on Tuesday, March 12th at 12 Noon.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Time and date to be announced. Donations can be made in Jack’s name to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society or the Community Hospice.

 Special thanks go out to the caring staff at the Van Rensselaer Manor, second floor A Wing and also to the staff at the Veterans Administration Hospital, especially home based care nurses Loretta and Kelly.