Charles Henry Grenier (Chuck) a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and avid golfer, died at the age of 89 on Thursday, February 3, 2022 in Littleton, Colorado. He passed peacefully at home of natural causes with his wife and daughter by his side. Chuck was preceded in death by his brother Francis Grenier.
He was born in Michigan on June 26, 1932 to Charles and Ida Grenier. He grew up in the Detroit area and attended University of Detroit where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He met his future wife Rita while in university, and they were married in 1956. He joined the US Navy and served as a mechanical draftsman in the San Diego shipyard during peace time. Their first child Therese was born in 1957 in the San Diego Naval hospital.
Following completion of his service, Charles moved the family to Detroit where he began working for Ford Motor Company as a mechanical engineer. While living in Detroit, children Janet, Paul and Charles were born. He worked and raised his family in Michigan until a transfer to Louisiana in 1978.
Chuck gave his family many happy and cherished memories. Annual trips to enjoy the beauty of Northern Michigan, family reunions in “Chuck’s park” and hanging out at Tiger Stadium and Olympia to cheer on the Tigers and Red Wings were some of the highlights of his children’s lives.
His career took him to several different companies and locations. He retired from Marathon Oil after 23 years of service in 1990. His final position was Manager of Engineering for the Garyville refinery, the third largest refinery in the United States. After retiring, he and Rita settled in Palm City, Florida in a house that Chuck designed and had built for them. He had a great sense of humor, enjoyed socializing with members of his golf club, playing cribbage, working in the yard, visits from children and grand children, and watching sports. He loved animals and had several dachshunds over the years that he dearly loved and spoiled. He adored his wife Rita and never lost his love for her.
Chuck loved his family. He was proud of all his children. His love of engineering was passed down to his daughter and four of his grandchildren. His family also adopted his strong work ethic and appreciation for the value of education.
He and Rita raised their family in the Catholic faith, attended church regularly, and Charles was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He is survived by spouse Rita (Littleton, CO), daughter Therese (spouse Bill Holm, Bend, OR), daughter Janet (spouse Mike Lupini, Littleton, CO), son Paul (spouse Debbie, Sugarland, TX), son Charles (spouse Annette, La Place, LA), 13 grandchildren(Susan, Kristina, Shannon, Rachel, Deleena, Christopher, Diana, Allison, Nicolette, Charles, Emily, Jonathon, and Nathaniel) and 12 great grandchildren (Gabriel, Cody, Gavin, Michael, Wesley, Kevin, Damian, Maia, Elijah, June, Aubrey, and Timothy).
When Charles moved to Littleton to be closer to his children he found new joy in reading, watching Yellowstone, playing on his first I-pad, and identifying the birds and wild animals that visited his yard. He loved tinkering and Rita often found him taking things apart, even things he wasn’t supposed to take apart! He forged a special relationship with the squirrels who knocked on the door if they weren’t getting enough attention or peanuts. One day he went in the yard to scare off a red-tailed hawk that was eying his squirrels and it swooped down and barely cleared his head before flying off. Although he always missed his Florida home he appreciated the beauty of Colorado especially the mountains and the crabapples blooming in the spring.
A private Funeral Mass will honor Chuck's Life in February. A gathering to celebrate Chuck’s life will be held at Olinger Chapel Hill Cemetery in Centennial, Colorado on June 25, 2022 at 10:00am. A reception will follow.
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