Charles F. Grunkemeyer

Charlie was born November 2, 1935 in Cincinnati, OH. He was raised a Catholic and graduated from high school in 1953. After high school, Charlie worked one year in private industry. During that year he attended several retreats at a nearby monastery and he began to think there was more to life than a 40 hour per week job and a paycheck. Because Charlie felt God was calling him, he elected to enter the Catholic seminary to study for the Catholic priesthood. After nine years in the seminary, Charlie was ordained a Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in December 1962. He served as a priest from 1962 to 1973.

For a variety of reasons, Charlie chose to leave the priesthood. There after he worked as a counselor and supervisor for the State of Ohio, helping the mentally challenged and overseeing their care. He retired after 25 years of service. Upon his retirement, Charlie moved to Sarasota in 1998.

Charlie was married twice. His first wife died in 1993 after 17 years of marriage. He remarried, but that marriage was dissolved in 2006.

For over the past twelve years, Charlie was a volunteer for TideWell Hospice in Sarasota. His volunteer services included relieving caregivers, sitting vigil for dying patients, and serving as a chaplain on an as-needed basis. Charlie loved volunteering for TideWell and found the experience to be richly rewarding. Charlie was a caring and loving individual. His spirituality drew people to him. Over the years he lived in Sarasota, he was always available to counsel those in need.

Charlie’s life was a spiritual journey that led him closer and closer to a God of his understanding. He continued to study Theology and read spiritual books. He enjoyed spiritual retreats several times a year in KY, NM and other areas. He worked and lived in a convent annually where he baked bread daily and honored a vow of silence for the duration of the retreat.

A very important element of Charlie’s spiritual quest was becoming a friend of Bill W. On June 5, 1987 he became a member in good standing. Charlie found this program to be very spiritual. After being a friend of Bill’s for nearly 25 years, he continued to be very active on a daily basis and was always willing to help anyone in need.

Charlie is survived by a nephew, John R. Grunkemeyer of Magnolia, TX and a niece, Carol Grunkemeyer Cook of Baytown, TX.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, April 28 at 10 AM at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 5394 Midnight Pass Rd., Sarasota. In lieu of floral remembrances, donations can be made to the TideWell Hospice of Sarasota, 1751 Mound St., Sarasota, FL 34236.

Arrangements under the direction of National Cremation & Burial Society, Sarasota FL.