It is with great sadness that the family of George V. Grandsire of Westbrook announces his passing on July 7 at the age of 71, with his family at his side. He was the husband of the love of his life, Louise (Cole) Grandsire for 46 years. George grew up in Deep River, son of the late Charles and Joan (Luca) Grandsire.
He was predeceased by his brothers Charles and Francis. In addition to his wife, George is survived by his son Charles Victor Grandsire, his wife Sarah, and grandsons Cole and Dylan, all of Old Saybrook; his daughter Lori Grandsire whom he loved, calling her his pumpkin pie, of Westbrook; his devoted sister-in-law Rose Mary Krajewski of Old Saybrook; a nephew, Timothy Leach and his wife Tara of Clinton; a niece, Christa Barnes and her husband Dan of Clinton; nieces Karen and Lynn and nephews David, Robbie, and Jamie; and several great-nephews and -nieces.
George graduated from Valley Regional High School in 1965; he went on to serve in Vietnam with the U.S. Marine Corps, and was later a very dedicated employee of Clinton Nursery for more than 40 years, retiring in 2014. He loved camping with his family, coaching his son’s baseball team, as well as serving for many years as a coach for the Special Olympics in track and field and bowling. He was an avid horseshoe player, and enjoyed playing cards, family cruises, watching NASCAR, and hanging out at Beach Donuts with his coffee buddies. His family and friends enjoyed his quick wit, intelligence, passion for fixing anything, and “get it done” attitude, and they knew they could depend on him for help of any kind.
A memorial service will be held at the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main St., Centerbrook, on July 23 at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow at the State Veterans’ Cemetery. Donations may be made in George’s memory to either Camp Harkness, 301 Great Neck Rd., Waterford, CT 06385; or to the Connecticut Special Olympics, 2666 State St., Ste. 1, Hamden, CT 06517. To share a memory of or a condolence for George, please visit www.rwwfh.com.
