Nicholas S. Grugnale

Nicholas S. Grugnale, age 88 years, died peacefully in the Chelsea Soldiers Home in Chelsea, Massachusetts on Thursday, March 6, 2014 surrounded by his loving family. Born in Dedham, Massachusetts on September 8, 1925, he was the son of the late Michael and Anna (Marriott) Grugnale. He graduated from Norwood High School with the class of 1944. Just after graduating, Nick entered into the United States Navy and proudly served his country during World War II. He served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater of Operations aboard the USS Topeka. He was Honorably Discharged in 1946 as a Quartermaster Third Class. After the war, Nick continued his education and graduated from Burdette Business School. He has been a resident of Walpole, Massachusetts for the past 57 years, moving from Norwood.

He held many positions during his working career. He started out as a bank teller at the Norfolk County Trust, where he remained for 10 years. He transitioned into a sales position at Pittsburg Plate Glass. After working as a salesman for 5 years, Nick changed careers and owned and operated Longwood Hardware in Boston for 10 years. He retired as an auditor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Revenue after 20 years in 1992. He also had worked at the Foxboro Harness Raceway for 30 years. In his retirement, Nick worked at Home Depot in Norwood.

Nick was a member of the American Legion Post 70 in Norwood and was a Life Member of the Knights of Columbus in the Norwood Council. He was a devoted member of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Walpole where he was a member of the Choir, was a Eucharistic Minister, served as a CCD teacher, and helped with Bingo. As a gifted artist, Nick was a member of the Norwood Art Council and enjoyed working with oil paints.

He was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed following the Boston Red Sox. He enjoyed walking, gardening, swimming in his pool, and boating off the Coast of Connecticut. He along with his wife Pat enjoyed traveling the world and spending their summers at their Chatham, Cape Cod home, where Nick would enjoy tracking the changes of the break at Lighthouse Beach. Most of all, Nick loved taking "his girls" for ice cream.

Beloved husband of Patricia A. (Lavoie) Grugnale. Loving father of Michael E. and his wife Donna Grugnale of Weymouth, Maryrose G. and her husband Marty Cavanaugh of Chatham, and the late Joseph N. Grugnale. Cherished grandfather of Adriana Grugnale, Molly and Emily Cavanaugh. Brother of Mary D'Afile of Mansfield and the late Joseph Grugnale. Also survived by 15 nieces and nephews, 17 great nieces and nephews, and 9 great great nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Nick's Life Celebration on Monday, March 10, 2014 from 4-8PM and Tuesday, March 11, 2014 from 11-11:30AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home 48 Common Street Walpole. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church 10 Diamond Street Walpole on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at 12 Noon. Interment will be in Saint Francis Cemetery in Walpole. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Joseph N. Grugnale Scholarship Fund, Bishop Feehan High School, 70 Holcott Drive, Attleboro, MA 02703 or Chelsea Soldiers Home, Family Council, 91 Crest Ave, Chelsea, MA 02150.