Albert Otto Grunow

Albert O. Grunow, age 82, of Barefoot Bay, Florida passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 9, 2021. Al was born July 28, 1939 in Pittsfield Massachusetts, the son of Otto M.A. and Jessie M. Smith Grunow.

Al was a 1957 graduate of Pittsfield High School. He had a passion for photography which he pursued as a hobby throughout his lifetime. During high school, he worked for Kearns Photo Finish as a photographer specializing in wedding photography, while also getting the opportunity of photographing the famous Norman Rockwell in Stockbridge Massachusetts. Al also helped out at his Father’s potato chip business, working in the factory.

Al received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Management in 1961 from Boston University in Massachusetts followed by his Master’s degree from Purdue University in Indiana.

On June 24, 1961 he married the love of his life, the former Deanne Derby of Lanesborough Massachusetts. They celebrated their 60th anniversary on June 24th, 2021. Al and his wife Deanne moved from the Berkshires of Massachusetts, to Stratford Connecticut where they raised their family. He worked his professional career for United Technologies companies including Sikorsky Aircraft and Dow Composite Products as well as being a consultant/contractor for several defense and commercial companies. His career prior to retirement was working as a realtor in a residential real-estate office.

Al was extremely active in the community in Stratford Ct where he raised his family. A member of Grace Lutheran Evangelical Lutheran Church, he served the church in various offices over his life in Stratford including as treasurer. He was active in the Indian Guides with his sons. He was the Advancement Chairman of his Sons’ Boy Scout Troop 72. For several decades, he was a charter member of the Stratford Civitan Club as well as Treasure and the New England Civitan Newsletter Editor. He was famous for leading the Civitan fundraising event for Stratford Day, cooking and selling liver and onion sandwiches and burgers. Later as his sons were older, they too worked on fundraising at Stratford Day, cooking and selling sausage and pepper grinders for the Young Republican organization in the booth next to his, providing stiff competition!

Al also loved fishing and the ocean. He had a passion for fishing and boating, which lead him to be appointed as the Stratford CT Harbor Master for several years. Other hobbies included calligraphy, photography, Skeet and Trap Shooting, and probably his number one hobby in retirement ……..making fine wines.

Having said all of this; raising 3 sons, working hard and volunteering, Al was born with a heart defect where the doctors told his parents he probably wouldn’t live past 13 years of age. He definitely proved them wrong though! He did however have major heart surgery in his late 30s to replace a heart valve along with adding a pacemaker. This surgery served him well and lasted well into his mid 50’s when at that time, he required a heart transplant. Al was one of the longer living heart transplant recipients, living for 26 years with his heart transplant. He spent the last several years of his life living in Barefoot Bay Florida with his wife; boating, fishing, crabbing, making fine wine, and getting a kick out of his wife wearing red and purple hats (you need to be a retiree in Florida to understand that).

While living in Barefoot Bay , he belonged to the German club. He was an alternate on the Architectural review committee, on the Violations Board, and also helped write the deed of restrictions for the Barefoot Bay Association.

Al leaves his wife Deanne, son Gregg Grunow and his wife Karen of Culpepper, VA, son Brian Grunow and his wife Remi of Milford CT, son Glenn Grunow and his wife Debbie of Milford, CT., and grandchildren Ben, Riley, Amber and Brenda as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents Otto M A and Jessie M. Smith Grunow, brother Bruce Grunow, sister-in-law Shirley Grunow, brother Robert W. Grunow, and sister-in-law Mary E. Grunow.

A memorial service for Al will be held Thursday, December 16, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Fountainhead Funeral Home, 7359 Babcock Street SE, Palm Bay, FL 32909. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association (Heart.Org) or the National Kidney Foundation (Kidney.Org).