William Grozio

Husband, Father, Grandfather(Pop), Great-Grandfather(Great Poppy)

Avid Fan of the New York Giants

William Grozio of Elizabeth, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 31, 2020 of natural causes. William was born on July 20, 1919 and was 2 months away from his 101st birthday. He was the oldest of 6 children born to Stefan and Julia (Kosko) Grozio in Warrior Run, PA and raised in the Hanover section of Nanticoke, PA.

William was a WWII veteran of the US Army and served our country from October 6, 1941 to November 8, 1945. He attained the military rank of T4 Sergeant and was stationed at Camp Upton, Fort Riley, Camp Robinson, Camp Fannon, and Blanding, Florida. He served overseas in Europe and was stationed in France, Germany and Belgium. He took great pride in his service as a cook and would tell many stories about feeding the troops, sometimes 500 at a time.

William married Anna Marie Slusarczyk in 1946 and they were together for 64 years before Anna passed away on August 10, 2010. William was also predeceased by his brothers John and Michael and his sisters Helen Slusark and Mary Buryk.

After the war, William and Anna moved to Newark, NJ where his first job was at Ronson Corp. William then worked for, and retired after 35 years from Benjamin Moore Paint Company also in Newark. At this time William was a parishioner at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Newark and a member of the Catholic War Veterans. In 1961, William and Anna moved with their family to Elizabeth, NJ and William became a parishioner of St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #3310.

William is survived by his daughters Mary Ann Mancini (Nick), Patricia Mangi (Chuck), Carol Birritteri (Vincent) and his son Rev. Stephen Grozio CM. William is survived by his grandchildren Rev. Joseph Mancini (Pastor at St. Stephen’s in Kearny, NJ), Lynda Bailey (Steve), Michael Birritteri, Nicholas Birritteri, Victoria Birritteri and Lisa Radil (Mark). William is survived by his great grandchildren Ryan and Erik Bailey. William is also survived by his brother Ted (Dorothy) and many nieces and nephews. William will be lovingly remembered by all.

William worked hard for his family and instilled the importance of a higher education in each of his children. He firmly believed that each one needed to set a goal and reach it. They did, and his grandchildren have done this also. Watching his great grandsons home school during this pandemic, one can see that they are setting and reaching their goals too. His family is grateful for William’s love and example.

“God lights a candle when you are born, and He blows it out when He calls you home”. William was a bright light to his family and will always be remembered with love.

Funeral arrangements are unfortunately private due to COVID-19 and are under the direction of Krowicki McCracken Funeral Home, Linden NJ. Interment will be at St. Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia, NJ. When restrictions are lifted, a Memorial Mass will be held at a later date.

In William’s memory, donations may be made to St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 309 Grier Ave., Elizabeth, NJ 07202, or the Congregation of the Mission, 500 E. Chelten Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144, or St. Stephen’s Church Heritage Fund, 141 Washington Ave., Kearny, NJ 07032.

Memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.krowickifuneralhome.com.