Obituary of Gerald Grodzicki

Gerald John Grodzicki died June 1, 2015, at his home in Green Valley, Arizona. Jerry was born June 24, 1935, in Glen Lyon, Pennsylvania, the oldest child of Mitch and Mamie Grodzicki. Jerry is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mara, and their son, Eric Grodzicki (Rosalia), and his stepchildren Brian McDowell (Ciela), Claire McDowell Friedenberg (John), and Beverly McDowell. He is also survived by his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. After graduation from Newport Township High School, Jerry served four years in the United States Air Force, followed by time in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He was a Master Carpenter, and after moving to Arizona, worked for many years as a cabinetmaker at Hughes Aircraft/Raytheon. He was a long-time member of the IAMAW Machinists’ Union, Old Pueblo Lodge 933, American Legion and a lifelong supporter of unions. Jerry was an immensely talented guy who could build or fix just about anything. One of his greatest accomplishments was the house he built on their twenty acres in the Patagonia Mountains. From the initial design to the final plumbing, electrical, and carpentry work, he carried the plans only in his head, working with no blueprints or sketches. Jerry loved boating and fishing, and talking about sports and politics. Instead of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: Autism Research Institute (www.autism.com), or Save the Children (www.savethechildren.org ). He passed our way, but he didn’t stay He was gifted, brilliant, and funny, but he didn’t stay Leaving many broken hearts on the way.