Obituary for Albert R. Grenon Sr.
Albert Robert Grenon Sr., of Suffield, beloved husband of Maryann (Youchavitz) Grenon, and patriarch of the Grenon family, died March 5, 2021 after a brief illness.
Born on Jan. 9, 1927 in Brooklyn CT, he was the son of Almour and Amelia Grenon. Albert “Al” as he was known, grew up in Springfield Mass. with 3 brothers, Almour, Raymond and Herve, as well as 3 sisters, Anita, Estelle and Eleanor. One of his favorite memories growing up was sitting on the windowsill at his home listening to the Metropolitan Opera radio broadcast with his mother which led to a lifelong love of opera music. He was an early entrepreneur and at the age of 12 made a pull cart and set up a hauling business for local businesses and neighbors. At the age of 17 he chose to enlist in the Navy during WWII because, as he says, he could “swim faster than dig ditches.” He was assigned duties as an artillery’s mate on the USS Alaska CB-1, proudly serving in the pacific fleet. One of his favorite things to do when he was on shore leave was to roller skate. When he was honorably discharged he continued to roller skate at Riverside roller skating rink in Agawam MA. It was there he met the love of his life Maryann. Al and Maryann married in 1949 despite a near fatal car accident and the church burning down. Albert Jr was born 1 year later. The following year Al was called up for duty in the Korean Conflict and became a Pensacola Naval base postman. After discharge Al and Maryann settled in West Suffield Ct to work on the family farm growing tobacco with Maryann’s parents Bill and Nellie Youchavitz.
In subsequent years two additional children, Janet and Carole were added to the family. Al and Maryann bought their first home in East Longmeadow MA, later moving to Enfield in 1960 and resided there for 25 years as their children grew up. Al and Maryann provided a wonderful nurturing environment for the family. Car trips and vacations throughout New England as well as visits to local beaches were true family adventures. Al and eventually Maryann, worked at Hamilton Standard for a combined total of 60 years. Al’s department was responsible for the Air conditioning units that were installed in the space suits used during the first moon landing.
One of Al and Maryann’s biggest hobbies was displaying their decorative painted wares at the Brimfield Flea Market. Maryann had been given a decorative painting kit by Al which blossomed into a mutual talent of restoring and painting furniture to which the creative Maryann would add her beautiful decorative painting.
Eventually Al and Maryann moved back to the family farm in West Suffield for 25 years where Al cared for the pond and mowed the fields while riding his tractor. As the 3 children grew up, married and added grandchildren, many happy memories were made on the farm picking blueberries, strawberries, raspberries a variety of vegetables and riding the tractor with grandpa. Our patriarch was also known for his fascinating stories of family history and life experiences which he documented at great length. After downsizing, Al and Maryann moved to Enfield in the Hazardville section of town for 14 years and subsequently moved to Suffield by the River.
Bedsides Maryann his beloved wife of 71 years, Al Grenon Sr. is survived by his sister Estelle Grenon of New Jersey, his son Albert R. Grenon Jr. and his fiancée Eileen Cholewinski of Torrington CT; 2 daughters, Janet Mae Grenon of Willimantic Ct, Carole Grenon-Francoline and her husband James of East Granby CT; his grandchildren Jennifer Oliver and her husband John of Mansfield Center CT, Janelle Ragno and her husband Andrew Luchkow from Vancouver Canada and Emily Soucy of Agawam Massachusetts. He also leaves behind 6 precious great grandchildren Ethan Oliver, Erica Oliver, Lydia Luchkow, Daniel Luchkow, Devin Soucy and Colin Soucy. Al Grenon was very social and will be remembered by nieces, nephews and the many friends he made where ever he went.
The family would like to thank the Staff of Suffield by the River assisted living community where they have lived the last 4 years for their care, kindness and compassion.
Services and Burial are private. Heritage Funeral Home, 1240 Mountain Road, Suffield has care of the arrangements. On line condolences please visit, www.SuffieldFuneralHome.com
To view the service copy and paste link below:
Topic: Mr. Albert R. Grenon, Sr. Service
Start Time : Mar 12, 2021 09:00 AM
Meeting Recording:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/kLsnHasfOAWAJwStb6HRWr-cDRTacFGaUO3JBKRAE0u5psfi0i2XI6bvCTFvf9yy.F1utvxm9jiXfYE6x
Born on Jan. 9, 1927 in Brooklyn CT, he was the son of Almour and Amelia Grenon. Albert “Al” as he was known, grew up in Springfield Mass. with 3 brothers, Almour, Raymond and Herve, as well as 3 sisters, Anita, Estelle and Eleanor. One of his favorite memories growing up was sitting on the windowsill at his home listening to the Metropolitan Opera radio broadcast with his mother which led to a lifelong love of opera music. He was an early entrepreneur and at the age of 12 made a pull cart and set up a hauling business for local businesses and neighbors. At the age of 17 he chose to enlist in the Navy during WWII because, as he says, he could “swim faster than dig ditches.” He was assigned duties as an artillery’s mate on the USS Alaska CB-1, proudly serving in the pacific fleet. One of his favorite things to do when he was on shore leave was to roller skate. When he was honorably discharged he continued to roller skate at Riverside roller skating rink in Agawam MA. It was there he met the love of his life Maryann. Al and Maryann married in 1949 despite a near fatal car accident and the church burning down. Albert Jr was born 1 year later. The following year Al was called up for duty in the Korean Conflict and became a Pensacola Naval base postman. After discharge Al and Maryann settled in West Suffield Ct to work on the family farm growing tobacco with Maryann’s parents Bill and Nellie Youchavitz.
In subsequent years two additional children, Janet and Carole were added to the family. Al and Maryann bought their first home in East Longmeadow MA, later moving to Enfield in 1960 and resided there for 25 years as their children grew up. Al and Maryann provided a wonderful nurturing environment for the family. Car trips and vacations throughout New England as well as visits to local beaches were true family adventures. Al and eventually Maryann, worked at Hamilton Standard for a combined total of 60 years. Al’s department was responsible for the Air conditioning units that were installed in the space suits used during the first moon landing.
One of Al and Maryann’s biggest hobbies was displaying their decorative painted wares at the Brimfield Flea Market. Maryann had been given a decorative painting kit by Al which blossomed into a mutual talent of restoring and painting furniture to which the creative Maryann would add her beautiful decorative painting.
Eventually Al and Maryann moved back to the family farm in West Suffield for 25 years where Al cared for the pond and mowed the fields while riding his tractor. As the 3 children grew up, married and added grandchildren, many happy memories were made on the farm picking blueberries, strawberries, raspberries a variety of vegetables and riding the tractor with grandpa. Our patriarch was also known for his fascinating stories of family history and life experiences which he documented at great length. After downsizing, Al and Maryann moved to Enfield in the Hazardville section of town for 14 years and subsequently moved to Suffield by the River.
Bedsides Maryann his beloved wife of 71 years, Al Grenon Sr. is survived by his sister Estelle Grenon of New Jersey, his son Albert R. Grenon Jr. and his fiancée Eileen Cholewinski of Torrington CT; 2 daughters, Janet Mae Grenon of Willimantic Ct, Carole Grenon-Francoline and her husband James of East Granby CT; his grandchildren Jennifer Oliver and her husband John of Mansfield Center CT, Janelle Ragno and her husband Andrew Luchkow from Vancouver Canada and Emily Soucy of Agawam Massachusetts. He also leaves behind 6 precious great grandchildren Ethan Oliver, Erica Oliver, Lydia Luchkow, Daniel Luchkow, Devin Soucy and Colin Soucy. Al Grenon was very social and will be remembered by nieces, nephews and the many friends he made where ever he went.
The family would like to thank the Staff of Suffield by the River assisted living community where they have lived the last 4 years for their care, kindness and compassion.
Services and Burial are private. Heritage Funeral Home, 1240 Mountain Road, Suffield has care of the arrangements. On line condolences please visit, www.SuffieldFuneralHome.com
To view the service copy and paste link below:
Topic: Mr. Albert R. Grenon, Sr. Service
Start Time : Mar 12, 2021 09:00 AM
Meeting Recording:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/kLsnHasfOAWAJwStb6HRWr-cDRTacFGaUO3JBKRAE0u5psfi0i2XI6bvCTFvf9yy.F1utvxm9jiXfYE6x