Henry Grudnicki

Henry J. Grudnicki has passed away at the age of 94. He was born in Trenton, New Jersey on July 3, 1917 and attended Chadsey High School in Detroit. He was working for Ford Motor Company when war was declared and enlisted into the Marines. Sharpshooter and small arms mechanic, Marine Corporal Henry J. “Hank” Grudnicki was a unit member of the “3rd Marine Division”, “Company D, 2nd Battalion, 19th Marine Division”, “Pioneer Company, 4th Marines, Reinforced 1st Marine Amphibious Corps.”, “Engineering Company, 4th Marine Regiment, Reinforced 1st Provisional Marine Brigade,” and the “Provisional Transient Group Task Force A, 6th Marine Division during WWII stationed in the South West Pacific theatre, August 7, 1942 through November 9, 1945. His outfit was awarded the Navy Unit Citation for participating in action against the Japanese enemy on Guam, Marianas Islands from July 21, 1944 to August 10, 1944. After being discharged, he continued working for Ford at the Wayne Assembly Plant, until his retirement 42 years later in 1982. While at Ford, one of his many employee suggestions won him a new Ford Galaxy and $6000.00 in 1964. He was an avid fisherman and bowler having won the Wayne Assembly Plant Men’s League bowling championship in 1963. He enjoyed gardening and was an environmentalist long before it was popular to be green. He devoted himself to the care of his wife Theresa, until her death in 2001. Henry died on July 11th and is survived by their two daughters, Patricia (William) Conry, Kathleen (Douglas) Kapp; dear brother of Jean (Eugene) Krasko, John (Jean) Grudnicki, Stanley (Anna) Grudnicki, Chester (Leona) Grudnicki, Edward (Sheran) Grudnicki; loving Grandpa to Mehgan (Ryan) Hilobuk, and Brenton Conry. Great Dzia Dzia to Collin and Elliot; Uncle to many nieces and nephews. He was a self-made man of great integrity and generosity, with a deep love of family. He was our hero and will be terribly missed. A memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, July 21, 2011, at St. Fabian Catholic Church, 32200 West Twelve Mile Rd., Farmington Hills, MI. Those wishing to make a donation in Henry's name are asked to consider VFW National Home for Children, 3573 South Waverly Road, Eaton Rapids, MI, 48827-9718 Please share a memory with family at Henry's on-line guestbook at www.rggrharris.com.