Obituary of Frank J. Grief

Frank J. Grief, age 94, formerly of Old Saybrook and Deep River, passed away on January 7, 2016, at the Bayview Health Care Center in Waterford. Frank was the beloved husband of the late Emma (Pedinelli) Grief. Emma passed away on May 18, 2011. He was born in Deep River on April 8, 1921 to Joseph and Veronika (Pryga) Grzech. Frank was a proud veteran who served his country during World War II in the United States Army Air Corps and was a member of the American Legion. He and Emma were married on Sept. 2, 1946. He was a foreman at the Verplex Company in Essex and later at APCO Products in Essex until his retirement. Frank was a communicant at St. John's Church in Old Saybrook and served as an usher there for many years. He loved all sports, particularly baseball, and was an avid Yankees fan. He spent many years playing baseball and was particularly proud of his time playing for the Deep River Queens and the Reno Army Air Base Team while stationed in Nevada. He also loved to go fishing. He leaves his daughter Barbara and her husband Robert Pierson of Old Lyme, his daughter Patricia and her husband Anthony Sammataro of Waterford, two grandchildren, LTCDR Michael Sammataro and his wife Jessica of Chesapeake, VA., and Dan Sammataro of Braintree MA., and two great-grandchildren, Alexandria and Logan Sammataro of Chesapeake, VA. Besides his wife Emma, he was predeceased by his brothers John and Stanley Grief, and his sisters-in-law Gladys and Clara Grief. He also leaves several nephews and nieces. The family would like to thank Mercy Boateng, his live-in care giver for 4 years for the care she provided. We would also like to thank the staff at Bayview Health Care Center and the staff at Hospice of Southeastern CT. for the wonderful care they provided to him. Visitation will be held at the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street in Centerbrook on Sunday, January 10, 2016 from 5:00PM to 7:00PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Saint John's Church, 161 Main Street in Old Saybrook on Monday, January 11, 2016 at 10:30AM. Burial with Rendering of Full Military Honors will follow in the Riverside Cemetery, Sheffield Street in Old Saybrook. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Frank's name to Saint John's Church, 161 Main Street, Old Saybrook, CT 06475. To share a memory of Frank or leave a condolence for his family please visit www.rwwfh.com