Leo A. Grohowski

Leo Anthony Grohowski passed away on September 1, 2026 at home in Lake Mary, Florida. He was 91 years old, and lived a very full and happy life. He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and beautiful memories, with a family who adored him and will miss him every day.

Leo was born on June 13, 1935 in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania to Leo and Jane (Zdun) Grohowski, hard working and loving parents who then moved to Orange, New Jersey to raise their three young sons. Leo was the oldest, and called “Sonny” by his family.

He was an altar server at Mount Carmel Church, and attended Orange High School where he met his “sweetheart” for life, Marlene (Rizzo).

After serving in the U.S. Army and being honorably discharged in 1957, they wed that same year, and started a family while he attended night school and began a long and distinguished career at Carpenter Technology Corporation. He earned his B.S. in Business Management from Rutgers University in 1970.

In 1966, Leo and Marlene moved with their young family to Livingston, NJ where he became an active parishioner of St. Philomena Church, and a member of the Knights of Columbus, where he rose to the rank of Fourth Degree Knight, its highest and most prestigious degree, dedicated to the principle of Patriotism. He also coached Little League Baseball, and was an active volunteer for the Jaycees, a local non-profit civic organization performing community service, and Camp Hope, a summer day camp for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Leo loved sports, playing football in high school and enjoying softball and bowling in his adult years. In terms of spectator sports, he was a long-time Detroit Tigers and Lions fan, and liked watching the NY Rangers with an evening scotch and water in the den.

He also enjoyed playing golf, but definitely looked forward to the burgers and beers after his rounds, particularly at the Nags Head Golf Links during our memorable family vacations in Duck, NC. In earlier years, vacations in Lavallette, NJ were an annual tradition. Little did we know until later in life, that those trips to the arcade and the boardwalk in Seaside barely left enough money to pay the quarter tolls on the Garden State Parkway for the trip home ! He always loved the beach.

Retiring to Pennsylvania (before Florida) he and Marlene were active members of St. John Neumann parish in Lancaster, and found plenty of time for their grandchildren, feeding the ducks, visiting the Strasburg Rail Road, Hershey Park, and hosting Sunday pancake breakfasts, among the many highlights.

Leo is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Marlene, and their three children, Leo, Louis, and Susan, as well as nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren, the youngest of whom, baby Leo, was born on his birthday, June 13, last year. He is also survived by his younger brothers John and Tom.

Leo was a wonderful man whose friendly, unselfish demeanor, warmth, and happy smile will remain with us forever. He was a generous man, so in lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the charity of your choice in his loving memory.

If you have any special messages that you would like to share with the family, please place them in the guest book below for the family to cherish.