Obituary
John Patrick Groh, 85, passed away on April 12, 2024, after spending his last days surrounded by his beloved family and cherished friends. Jack, as he was known to all, was the eldest son of John and Eleanore Groh and grew up first in South Ozone Park, NY and then Teaneck, NJ with his younger siblings Elaine and Barry. He attended high school at Mount St. Michael Academy, Bronx, NY and graduated from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA. While home on break one Christmas, Jack met a cute, vivacious redhead named Kathleen Powers who would become the love of his life. Kathie and Jack married on August 11, 1962 and began their life together, welcoming children Susan, John and Thomas. They settled in River Edge, NJ and quickly became part of the parish community of St. Peter the Apostle Church where their children attended school and they met other young families who would become lifelong friends. Jack worked alongside his dad in their family business, Queens Reproductions, and commuted from New Jersey to Long Island each day for 43 years. While the trip to work was long, Jack was able to manage his hours so that after a late afternoon power nap, he was ready to spend quality time with his family and pursue his passion for coaching. From CYO basketball to Little League baseball, Jack loved teaching and mentoring his children and other young people in sports. One of his most rewarding experiences as a coach was taking his son Tom’s River Edge Little League baseball team to the state finals. In 1983, Kathie and Jack had the opportunity to purchase a vacation home – a little Cape Cod located in Long Beach Island, NJ – which would become a special place where so many wonderful family memories were made – in fact, both Susan and John met their respective spouses “down the shore.” Jack became known as “Captain” to his five grandchildren who grew up spending weekends and vacations together at the family home on LBI. Kathie and Jack also loved spending time in Sarasota, Florida – first as a winter retreat and then in 2012 as their permanent home. Jack made many friends in his retirement and loved his life at Stoneybrook Golf and Country Club and especially the crew at Club South Circle who took such loving care of him in his last days. Jack leaves behind his beloved wife of 62 years, Kathie, and their adoring children Susan (Dave Blezow), John (Mary Anne), and Thomas. Jack was predeceased in 2015 by his grandson Bryan and will be loved and remembered forever by his grandchildren Matthew, Jay, Zane and Skyler. A memorial mass and Celebration of Life will be held at a future date. If you would like to remember Jack, please consider a donation in his memory to his favorite charity: Service Dogs Saving Lives https://servicedogssavinglives.org/.
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