David J Grondin Sr, 61, passed away peacefully surrounded by his devoted wife and their three exceptional children, following an extended illness and twenty days after receiving his long-awaited heart and lung transplant.
He was born in Portland on July 11, 1960 son of Blye - Ann Grondin, where he attended local schools and graduated Portland High School Class of 1980. He married the love of his life Michele Marie DiPietro, on September 27,1997, and they raised their three children, David Jr, Margaret Ann, and Olivia Marie. He was an avid Boston sports fan and loved talking with people. He was an usher at the Portland Seadogs from their inaugural season in 1994 until 2000, when he became a stay-at-home dad to David Jr. He was very involved with his children's school activities and sporting events. He enjoyed coaching many sports throughout the years, including soccer, Little League, Babe Ruth, PHS girls softball, and many seasons with Olivia's basketball team with the Portland Rec department. In March of 2020, when the pandemic hit, due to health issues, David had to stop working at Fournier's Leadership Karate, where he transported kids from local schools and brought them to class. One of his favorite things to do was playing "Richelieu," a card game with best friends John and Karen Perron, reminiscing about family vacations to Disney World with them and their children Colby and Kaylee.
He is predeceased by his mother, Blye Ann, brother Micheal Grondin, and father-in-law, Joey DiPietro.
Besides his wife Michele of 24 years, he leaves his three children, David Joseph, Margaret Ann, Olivia Marie, man's best friend Jaxson, and his adopted like daughter Madison Connelly all of Westbrook. His older "Sistah" Katie Storer and husband Kevin of Portland. Niece Danietta Thompson and husband Jacob of Morrill, dear Aunt Mona Peters of Lebanon, special cousin Lee Peters of Sanbornville, New Hampshire, and his crazy Aunt Linda Carson of South Portland. Mother-in-law Eleanor DiPietro, Sister-in-law Laurie Anne DiPietro, both of Portland. Sister-in-law Mary Ellen Bowring and husband, Chris of South Portland. Sister-in-law Christine Cram and husband Russell of Buxton. Nephew Spencer Bowring of South Portland, Nieces Ashely Plante and husband Dustin of Hollis, Katelyn Cram and Fiancé Dave Bloomgren of Dayton, Mackenzie Bowring of South Portland, and two great-nieces Ellie Grace Plante and Sophie Mae Plante of Hollis. Several other relatives and friends.
David's family would like to thank the staff on R7 at Maine Medical Center for their compassion, care, and support over the years, and most recently, the team at Brigham and Women's Hospital Shapiro 9 East, 9 West, and 6 West (CICU) where he has been cared for since last November. Everyone treated him like family, and the nurses would fight over who got to take care of him. They all loved to come in and see the progress he was making on his puzzles and "steal" a piece of candy.
Visiting hours will be held Friday, April 29, from 2-8 at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland. Celebration of Life on Saturday, April 30, 11 a.m. at Jones, Rich & Barnes
If so, desired, contributions in his memory to HeartBrothers Foundation 225 Cedar Hill St. Suite 200, Marlborough, MA 01752.
