John J. Grill, Jr., 92, of Port Charlotte, Florida, formerly of Franklin, passed away Tuesday, September 25, 2018, with loved ones by his side at the Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans Home where he was a resident for nearly two years.
John was born in Franklin, PA on November 15, 1925, to the late John J. Grill, Sr. and Adele Carrara Grill.
John was a graduate of Franklin High School and then went on to proudly served in the United States Navy. He served his country during WWII on the USS McClelland, in the Pacific Theater. On March 10, 1945, he was inducted as a Shellback to the Order of the Neptune as he crossed the equator.
On March 30, 1948, he married his beloved wife, Julia Pachla Grill, and she preceded him in death on May 18, 1999.
In 1961 John opened his business, John Grill’s Auto Repair, where he specialized in and was well known as one of the best in the area for transmission repair and replacement. For over 16 years his son, John, worked side by side with him until his retirement in 1986 at which time his son took over the business.
At the time of his passing, he was a member of St. Patrick’s Church, a 3rd-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and was a member of the VFW. John had also been a member of the Franklin Elks Lodge BPOE #110, the Eagles Club & Wanango Country Club.
In his spare time, John enjoyed golfing, ten pin and duckpin bowling, bingo and playing gin. In earlier years he enjoyed training his beloved dog, Peanut. Those who knew him well will remember his sense of humor and his joke telling. However, John’s greatest pastime in life was time spent with his loving family.
John is survived by his children; Mary (Ed) Fennick of Ft. Myers, FL, Sandy Brown of Cape Coral, FL, John (Karen) Grill, III, of Grand Island, FL, and Kathy (Mike) Say of Ft. Myers, FL; grandchildren, Sean (Heather) Fennick of Apollo, PA, Ryan (Kiley Persing) Fennick of Titusville, PA, Jeff (Carrie) Brown of Cape Coral, FL, Alisha Grill of Mt. Dora, FL, Caitlin (James) Landor of Morrisville, NC and Krista (Adam) Currier of Cape Coral, FL; nine great-grandchildren, Olivia and Beau Fennick, Carson and Brea Fennick, MacKenzie and Kaylee Brown, Adeline Landor and Bailey and Dace Currier; a brother, Robert (Phyllis) Grill of Davidsonville, MD, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and wife he was preceded in death by his son-in-law, David Brown; and his siblings, Pearl Renfrow, George Grill, Margaret Susi, Leo Grill, Almerinda Dodds, and Joan Reagle.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Huff-Guthrie Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 312 W. Park St., Franklin where friends and family are welcome from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 8, 2018. Parish Vigil Service will be held at 6:45 p.m. on Monday, with Deacon Richard Reed of St. Patrick’s Church officiating. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 9, 2018, at St. Patrick’s Church with Monsignor John J. Herbein, officiating. Interment will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery where full military honors will be rendered by the VETS Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in John’s name to Doug Jacobson Residents Fund, Inc., P.O. Box 380771 Port Charlotte, FL, 33938.
Online condolences and flowers may be sent to the family by visiting www.HuffFuneral.com.
