Michael Jack Grillo

Grillo, Michael Jack, a resident of Huntington Beach, passed away on April 4, 2010 at the age of 87. He was predeceased by his devoted wife of 50 years, Virginia. He leaves his loving family of three children, Andrew, Anthony, and Michael and their spouses Arlyn, Debra, and Colleen; five grandchildren, Michael, Dominic and wife Stacey, Giovanni, Caitir and Elise; three sisters, Grace, Mary, and Ida and one brother, Jack. Mike was born and raised in Michigan. His parents named him Mercurio, but he was always called Mike. From an early age, he helped his father with repairs around the house. He even built a heater for the family’s fruit and vegetable truck to prevent the produce from freezing before it reached the customers. As a young man, Mike and his buddies would crash weddings so they could enjoy some good food and dance with the ladies. In the late 1940s, he moved to California to find work, but soon traveled back to Michigan to ask Virginia to marry him. They married on April 22, 1950 and spent their honeymoon in Florida. They settled in California where their first son, Andy, was born. Work was scarce in California and Virginia wanted to be closer to her family so the Grillos moved back to Michigan where their second son, Tony, was born. Several years later, they again moved to California where their youngest son, Michael was born. They lived in several cities in Southern California, including Inglewood and Hawthorne, finally settling in Huntington Beach. He was a tool and die maker and worked for several companies, including Arrowsmith and Ford Motor Company. He retired from McDonald Douglas as a jig and fixture builder. He also had his own business as a locksmith, working the swing shift at the plant so he could run his business in the morning. Mike enjoyed gardening, playing cards, conversing with neighbors, and spending time with his grandchildren. He especially enjoyed touring the neighborhood on garbage day when he could collect “treasures� that he shared with family and friends. A devoted husband and father, Mike always put his family first. He was Virginia’s caretaker the last years of her life, learning to grocery shop and cook her favorite dishes. After her passing, he took flowers to her gravesite every week. Mike was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. His family loves and misses him greatly.