John William Gruber

John “Shorty” Gruber, 80, of Glendale, New York, passed away on April 3rd, 2024. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ellen; his two sons, John and his wife, Francine, of Wayne, NJ, Christopher and his wife, Donna, of Glendale, NY. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Brandon, Tyler, Samantha, Elizabeth, and Rachel.

Shorty was born on June 28th, 1943, and grew up in Queens, NY. For 40 years, he worked as a carpet installer for S&V Carpet Services. He was a member of the Carpenters Union for over 50 years. Following his retirement, he and Ellen chose to spend half the year in beautiful and sunny Marco Island, Florida. He loved fishing and relaxing on his boat, spending time with his and Ellen’s many friends, and enjoying delicious meals at Michelbob’s.

Throughout his life, Shorty had several hobbies. As a child, he was an avid stamp collector, with a significant collection of stamps from all around the world. Later in life, Shorty discovered a talent for watercolor painting. He found joy and fulfillment in capturing the beauty of landscapes and seascapes with his brush. He also loved gardening, growing a delicious array of vegetables and flowers year after year.

He enjoyed spending time with loved ones, especially during his “blizzard parties,” where he would have a slideshow of old movies and photos of the family. He loved vacationing in Lake George and going on cruises.

One of Shorty's greatest joys was spending time on his boat, immersing himself in the serenity of the open water. Whether he was fishing, cruising along the coastline, or simply soaking in the sun, his boat provided him with countless moments of relaxation and contentment.

Shorty’s family members will continue to remember him, especially during the Christmas season. His children and grandchildren will fondly remember him carefully setting up the trains around the Christmas tree adorned with popcorn garland. Each year, he also loved to make gingerbread houses with his grandchildren, with memories as sweet as the houses themselves.

Shorty’s quick wit, big smile, loving hugs, and huge heart will be greatly missed by all.