john grossi
John T. Grossi, a lifelong resident of Weirton, WV, passed away March 19, 2014. He was born February 20, 1930 to the late Valentino and Maria Posata Grossi. John graduated from Weir High School in 1949 where he lettered in football, basketball and baseball. Continuing his education at West Virginia Institute of Technology, he received a football scholarship, lettered four years as a quarterback and later was inducted into the WVU Tech Football Hall of Fame. After two years in the U.S. Army he earned a Masters of Education from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, a Certification in Administration from West Virginia University and a Vocational Certification from Marshall University. John began his teaching career at Madonna High School, serving as a teacher and the first football, basketball and baseball coach. He then continued as an educator with Hancock County Schools as a teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principal, and principal of Weir High School and the John D. Rockefeller IV Vocational Center. During this time he was also the probation officer for the Hancock County Circuit Court. After retiring from Hancock County Schools, John worked at the Belmont Technical College as a student advisor, as well as a Consumer Advocate for the Consumer Protection Division of the WV Attorney General's Office. Prior to his retirement, John was active in professional and community organizations, including the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the WV-Ohio Basketball and Football Officials Association, and served a term on the Hancock County Board of Education. He was active in St. Paul's Catholic Church, the Holy Name Society, Knights of Columbus Council #3734, Fourth Degree, Vice-President of WV/Ohio District of the Italian Sons and Daughters of America, ISDA Weirtonian Lodge #183, and the Brotherhood of the Grape. In addition to his parents, John is preceded in death by his loving wife Irene and his two brothers, Chester and Dan Grossi. He is survived by his five children: John Val (Karen) Grossi of Winston-Salem, NC; Tanya (Robert) Musick of Star City, WV; Timothy (Michelle) Grossi of Fredericksburg, VA; Teresa Grossi of Bloomington, IN and Valentina Bigalke of McKinney, TX; eight grandchildren, John Roby and Anna Grossi, David (Anessa) and Michael (Shelby) Musick, Melanie Russ, Christopher Grossi, Emma and Ava Bigalke; three great grandchildren, Hadleigh King and Brody Russ; and Ava Alexander. He is also survived by his two sisters, Louise Enrietti of Weirton, WV and Lena Schiavone of Indianapolis, IN. Visitation will be Thursday, March 20 from 5-8 pm and Friday, March 21, 2 pm-8 pm. at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton, WV. Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, March 22 at 10:00 am at Saint Paul Roman Catholic Church, Weirton. Interment will follow in Saint Paul Cemetery, Weirton. Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Paul Roman Catholic Church, 140 Walnut Street, Weirton, WV 26062.

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. My thoughts are with you, Teresa, and with your entire family. May you find comfort in your memories.

  2. John Val, I’m sorry to hear about your father. He always very nice to my parents and to me when I was home for the holidays. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Michael

  3. To the family of John Grossi,

    We would like to offer my deepest condolences on the loss of your father. He was a great coach and teacher, and a true friend for life.

    Dick & Nancy Palcic

    Las Vegas, NV

  4. Tanya, Bob, Michael & all of Mr. Grossi’s family. I am sorry to hear of the loss of John, a great man & a valued friend of mine. I regret that I am unable to be there with you.

    John’s memory will remain withe always. He was a joy to be around every single time we meet.

    Peace be with all of you.

  5. We are saddened by Mr. Grossi’s death and hope that your memories of love, laughter, stories shared will bring you comfort.

    Nancy and Norman Ferrari

  6. Tina, My heart goes out to you and your family. Your dad’s legacy shines and lives on through the beautiful people that are you, Ava and Emma. – Karen Kendall, Dallas TX

  7. Tanya, Bob and Grossi family, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Carole and Steve Mason, Chesnee, South Carolina

  8. My sincere and deepest condolences to the entire family of Mr. Grossi. I worked with Mr. Grossi in the “A” Building at Weir High School as a young English Teacher fresh out of student teaching back in 1968. God Bless a Wonderful Man. Denny Albaugh

  9. To the Grossi family,

    Our sincerest condolences, thoughts and prayers on the passing of Mr. Grossi. Just a wonderful, warmhearted person. May God grant him rest. He is now with his beloved Irene.

    Jim and Anne Paul

    Greensburg, PA

  10. Linda, Chris and Larry Schaaf (Bloomington, IN) knew of Mr. Grossi through the kind and loving words of his daughter; Teresa.

    Eternal Rest

    Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

  11. Please accept our deepest sympathy. It was with heavy heart we heard of the loss of John, who was a fantastic person. He was so well liked by all here in Bethlehem. We also looked forward to his visits; we always knew we could look forward to his assistance. May the Lord bless and comfort you.

  12. My condolences to the family and to my dear colleauge Teresa. May peace touch your hearts and your thoughts be filled with wonderful memories of the love of your mom and dad in the days to come.

  13. May the love of God surround you and your family during this difficult time

    May you come to know that the love of God is with you always,

    May your memories of John T. Grossi, give you peace, comfort and strength…

    Rest now in the arms of our Lord your work on earth is complete.

    I thank you for your service to our Country and for my Freedom

    You will not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with the family of…..

    US Army John T. Grossi, “A True American Hero” God Bless†

    † Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 â€

  14. To the Grossi Children,

    My heart is saddened at the passing of Uncle John. We waere always considered family and he will leave a loss in oue hearts and the community he so loved. Be assured he is is in no more pain and is resting peacefully in the arms of our Savior. He reunites with his love Aunt Irene and family. The memories you created yesterday will last you a lifetime and bring a smile to your face. Love , Rita

  15. Teresa and Grossi family,

    You have my sympathy on the passing of Mr. Grossi. I know he was loved by all and will be missed by all. My God be with you and watch over you in this time of sadness. You now have two guardian angels watching over you in your Mom and Dad.

    Ron Paul

  16. Tina, Emma and Ava, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. May the many memories you have with your father/grandfather bring you comfort.

  17. My sympathies on the passing of John Grossi. He was a firm but fair educator and high school principal who was respected and loved by “his kids” at Weir High, and he will be greatly missed.

  18. To Mr. Grossi’s family: words cannot express the sadness we feel when we heard of Mr. Grossi’s passing. He was our teacher at Madonna High in the 60’s; will always be remembered for the friendliness and kindness he had shown. A very admirable gentle man, who will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace Mr. Grossi, who are now in heaven with the love of your life, your wife Irene.

    Our heartfelt sympathy, Michael & Marlene(Rybka)Runkel

  19. Tim & Family,

    I am very sorry to hear of the passing of your father. On behalf of my family and I, we extend our deepest condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

  20. Tina, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your girls as you go through the difficult days ahead. May you find some comfort by clinging to the precious memories you had with your dad!

  21. The Grossi Family,

    My prayers are with your families during this sad time. May you find strength and comfort through The Lord, one another and your memories. Your parents were wonderful people, such blessings to you and all of us who grew up around them. God Bless Each of You.

    Salli (Froats) Comport

  22. To The The Grossi Family, We are so sorry to hear the passing of your Father. We hold great memories of him. He and my Brother Bill would tell us wonderful stories of things they would do together as neighbors. We still think of those stories over a cup of Coffee. We dearly loved him. your Dad was a long time friend of ours. You will all be in our prayers, Marie N Newbrough & Joseph G Buelch

  23. Condolences to all the Grossi family. You all were like Aunts, Uncles & Cousins to us since your Aunt Lena married my Uncle Dante Schiavone. Though many Grossi’s and Schiavone’s are scattered around, we’ll always remember where we were born and raised. Someday, we will all be reunited.

    The Horvath Family – John & Norma, David, Danny & Diane

  24. To the family of John Grossi, Please accept our heartfelt sympathy. Your Dad was a kind, happy and wonderful man. Our sympathy to Lena (our sister-in-law) and Louise. Jim and Mary Lou Bonaventura

  25. To the family of John Grossi,

    We loved him and will miss him greatly! He was a mentor and an inspiration to many of us!!! God bless him and may his memory by eternal !!!

    George and Dianne Kohelis

  26. John Val, so sorry to hear of your father’s death. It sounds like he had a full and happy life, but I am sure you and your family will miss him tremendously. You are all in my prayers.

  27. To the Grossi family,

    Please accept my condolences. I was saddened and shocked to hear of Mr. Grossi’s passing. I was a student at Weir High and he was principal. He once gave me a lead on a job opportunity. He was always trying to help people out if he could. Always smiling and pleasant. The world has lost a great man, but my memories of him will last forever.

  28. We offer our condolences to the whole Grossi family. May the loving memories of your father/grandfather fill your hearts and minds to lessen your grief. Bless you all.

    Your friends,

    The Jamesons

  29. Tina, Emma, Ava and all the Family, my heart goes out to you for all you have had to face the last week and few days. Losing someone you love so much is so difficult. I know you all gave him so much support after your Mom’s passing and I am sure it gave you all wonderful memories. I am sending prayers to you all and love and support.

    Danna Fason

  30. Tina, After reading through your Dad’s obituary and the many condolences, it’s very easy to see what a wonderful man he was. He was so involved in his community through the students he taught, the athletes he coached, the neighbors who recall him so fondly and the family who loved him so dearly. I know how much you, Emma and Ava will miss him. I’ll be thinking of all you.

  31. JOHN WAS MY COACH WHILE AT MADONNA, GRADUATING CLASS \”1961\”. HE WAS A HELL OF A GOOD GUY AND TAUGHT ME MANY REASONS TO SUCCESS. I GOT TO KNOW JOHN A LITTLE BETTER AT THE KNIGHTS WHERE CONVERSATIONS CAME EASIER. YOU HAVE MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY, BUT KEEP IN MIND THAT HE IS BY GODS SIDE. I HOPE THAT HE CAN PUT IN A GOOD WORD FOR ME WHEN IT\’S MY TURN. I TRUELY WISH THAT THERE ARE NO \”PUSH UPS\” INVOLVED.

  32. To the Grossi family, We are proud to call Mr. Grossi a friend of our family and to know him as a dedicated educator. He always greeted everyone with a smile and a kind word. May he rest in peace.

  33. I remember John playing all 3 sports for our father Coach Hamill. He was a great athlete. Then I got to know him better and officiated basketball with him in high school ranks. He and his brother Chester were always favorites of the whole Hamill family. My thoughts and prayers are with all his family.

  34. Sorry to hear about Mr. Grossi.

    Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.

    With deepest sympathy,

    Pete & Erin Cuffaro

    Wheeling, West Virginia

  35. To all ,of the Grossi Family, I am sorry to hear of the loss of your dad, your dad was such a good freind to my father Lou Yakunich they had many good times together throughout there lives. Your dad touched many peoples lives in such a positive way in our hometown of Weirton. I was glad I got to see him at my fathers funeral in December.

  36. I remember a quote that Coach Grossi must have used many times, as he would say \” Guys,I can show you, I can tell you, but I can\’t play the game for you\”

  37. To John’s Family:

    I am so sorry for your loss. As the days and weeks pass, and you return to life’s routine, may you be comforted by our …God and Father of our Lord… the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those in any sort of tribulation through the comfort with which we ourselves are being comforted by God”. (2 Cor. 1: 3, 4). Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. Please also find comfort in the following: John 11:11 where Jesus said, “…Lazarus our friend has gone to rest, but I am journeying there to awaken him from the sleep.” Our Heavenly Father holds out the hope of the resurrection and the ability to see our loved ones again.

  38. Mr. Grossi was my first principal and a great influence on my teaching career. He was my mentor and friend. He will be missed by many.

  39. I had the pleasure of having John T. Grossi as my Mechanical Drawing teacher as a Sophomore at Weir High. Then Mr. Grossi was promoted to our Assistant Principal. During the month of August his brother Dan and family and my Father, Mother and I used to vacation at the same camp in Brighton, Ontario Canada to fish for Northern Pike and Bass on Weller’s Bay.


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