Charles Leon Grunert
Charles Grunert Obituary
ADAMS, NY/CROGHAN, NY ~ Charles L. Grunert, 92, of Adams, and formerly of Croghan, died peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018 at Windsor Woods Health & Rehabilitation Center in Hudson, Florida where he had been a resident since January.
Born December 22, 1925, in Utica, NY, a son of Clement and Julia M. (Bisha) Grunert, he was a graduate of Lowville Academy and of Powellson Business Institute in Syracuse, NY, from where he received an Associate Business Degree.
A World War II veteran, he entered the US Army on July 27, 1944, and served with the HQ Co 11th Armd Gp which was a part of the 1st and 2nd Armored Division under General George S. Patton. He served throughout Europe including in Normandy, through France, Belgium, the Battle of the Bulge, Holland through Germany to Berlin, where he was in Honor Guard and Major Parading for the Potsdam Conference with Truman, Churchill, Stalin and other notables. As a member of 2nd Armored Division, he was honored and awarded the Belgian Fourragere in 1945 for liberating Belgium. He was honorably discharged as a PFC on July 6, 1946 from Fort Dix, NJ.
Following the war, he became a carpenter and was a member of Carpenters Local UBC #747 and #1019, out of Syracuse, and was a member of Local 90 Steel Workers. Throughout his working career, he worked on many large scale projects and construction jobs throughout the state, including Nine Mile Point Nuclear Power plant in Scriba, NY during the 1970’s. Additionally, he owned and operated Grunert’s Marina in Sackets Harbor, NY for many years.
He was a former communicant of St. Stephen’s Church, Croghan, and was a devout Catholic who attended church wherever he happened to be at the time. He was a Life Member of the Watertown American Legion, Watertown VFW, and Watertown Elks Club.
Throughout his life, he enjoyed boating and traveling, especially to Holiday, Florida as a snowbird, as well as traveling all over the United States attending different Armored Division Reunions. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman.
Surviving are two daughters, Julia (Randy) Killian, of Mexico, NY, and Charlene Grunert, of Watertown, NY; three grandchildren, Lucas Killian and Liam Killian, both of Mexico, NY, and Logan Killian, of Kalispell, Montana; his brother, Edward (Peg) Grunert, of Lowville, NY, and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by four brothers, Herbert, Merle, Louis and Paul Grunert, and two sisters, Mary Grunert and Edna Mae Aubel.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, May 11th, 2018, beginning with an 11:00 a.m. Prayer Service at Scanlon Funeral Home, Croghan, followed by an 11:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial from St. Stephen's Church, Croghan, with the Rev. Donald J. Manfred, Pastor, officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Stephen's Cemetery, Croghan.
Calling hours will also be held on Friday, May 11th, from 9:00 a.m. until the beginning of the 11:00 a.m. Prayer Service at the funeral home.
Memorial Donations may be made to St. Stephen’s Church Restoration Fund, P.O. Box 38, Croghan, NY 13327.
Memories and condolences may be shared with Charlie’s family by visiting www.scanlonfuneral.com
Arrangements are under the care of the Scanlon Funeral Home, Croghan.
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