Michael A. Gruss

1932 - 2013

Michael A. Gruss, 81, of Beverly Hills, passed away Sept 12, 2013, in Ocala, Fla.
Michael was born May 24, 1932, in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Aloysius J. and Catherine Emerich Gruss.
He married Mary Annette Tranchida at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in New London, Conn., on Jan. 14, 1956. They celebrated their 57th anniversary in 2013.
Michael graduated magna cum laude from Benedictine High School in Cleveland and was the class Salutatorian. He also graduated magnum cum laude from Case Institute of Engineering with a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering in 1954. At Case, he was elected into Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu honorary fraternities. In 1963, he completed his education by graduating magna cum laude from the University of Connecticut with a Master of Science Degree.
After graduation from Case, he worked for Robbins & Myers and General Electric as an engineer. In 1957, he was employed by General Dynamics, Electric Boat Division in the Research and Development Department. During his tenure at Electric Boat, he designed systems for various non-military applications and later was the principal engineer on classified military systems employed on various nuclear-powered submarines. He performed as design engineer, project engineer and group supervisor prior to being responsible for the classified projects. During this interval, he also taught adult education classes at the local high school, in-plant computer courses, and engineering courses at the former Thames Valley State Technical College.
Outside of work, he coached several Little League teams in the Waterford South District. After retirement in 1989 from Electric Boat, he relocated to Beverly Hills, Fla. He was a life member in the Inverness Elks Lodge and was active in the hoop shoot and soccer programs. He participated in the chairs and became Exalted Ruler in 2001. He was also a life member of the Knights of Columbus in Beverly Hills, Fla. He enjoyed traveling and playing cards and was an avid bridge player. He also volunteered for the VITA and AARP Tax Assistance Programs for 22 years.
A devoted husband and father, Michael is survived, in addition to his wife, by three children, Kathryn Brax and her husband Paul of Waterford, Conn., Michael Jr. of East Lyme, Conn., and Paul of Charlotte, N.C. He was predeceased by his brother, Aloysius J. Gruss Jr.; and son Joseph A. Gruss of Zurich, Switzerland. He has nine grandchildren, Heidi and (Tim) Ververis of Waterford, Conn., Andrew and (Kerri) Gruss of Greenwich, Conn., Alexandra, Amanda and Jennifer Brax of Boston, Mass., Laura Gruss Steel of New York, N.Y., and Katarina, Zachary and Alexander Gruss of Charlotte, N.C. He is also survived by four great-granddaughters, Madilynn, Ella, Natalie and Taylor; as well as three sisters, Mary Urasek and her husband Joseph of Hernando Fla., and Rose Gruss and Theresa Gruss, both of Brecksville, Ohio.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept 18, from Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. There will be no calling hours at the funeral home. Following services, friends are invited to the Inverness Elks Lodge for fellowship and refreshments. Chas E. Davis Funeral Home With Crematory is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials requested to Hospice of Citrus Co., P.O. Box 641270, Beverly Hills FL 34464 or St Jude's Childrens Hospital.
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