James R. GROVER

GROVER - James R., Jr., passed away peacefully at his home in Babylon Village, NY on October 14, 2012. He is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Mary Fullerton Grover, and by his four loving children, Nancy Grover de Chatrette of Wilton, CT and her spouse Thierry, Jean Grover Hand of Brightwaters, NY, and her husband Richard, James Robert Grover, of West Islip, NY, and his wife Michelle, and Jill Grover Hoyler of West Islip, NY, and her husband Charles, III. He was a devoted grandfather to Jason Hand, Brendan Hand, Meghan Hand Lambert, James Grover, Justin Grover, Charles James (Jamie) Hoyler, IV, Jonathan Hoyler and Stephanie de Chatrette and great grandfather to ten. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Margaret Fullerton Voorhies of Babylon and nine nieces and nephews. Born in Babylon Village in 1919, son of Babylon Village Police Chief "Russ" and Christine Grover of Babylon, Jim attended Babylon Schools and graduated from Babylon High School in 193. He graduated from Hofstra College with honors in English in 1941 and worked for Republic Aircraft and then for Grumman Aircraft Engineering before entering the Army in 1942. He served during WWII in the 52nd Coast Artillery in 1942, transferred to Air Corps in 1943 and served as an intelligence officer in the 14th Air Force (Flying Tigers) in the China Theater for two and a half years. He held the rank of Captain at the time of his discharge in 1946. Mr. Grover attended Columbia Law School, graduated in 1949, was admitted to the practice of law in New York State in 1950 and maintained a law office in Babylon Village until retiring in 2004. He served on the Babylon Village School Board and was its President when the Babylon Memorial Grade School was built. Elected to the New York State Assembly in 1957, he represented the Towns of Babylon and Huntington until 1962. He was elected to the 88th Congress in 1962 from New York's Second Congressional District and sered in the U.S. Congress for six terms from 1963 until 1975. The Congressional Record applauded him as a "Patriot of total integrity." He was a lifelong member of St. Joseph's Parish in Babylon Village. Formerly an avid surfer and proud lifeguard for the Town of Babylon at Cedar Beach, Jim became a skilled sailor, passionate about the Great South Bay and an active member of the Babylon Yacht Club. He helped lead efforts to renovate and relight the Fire Island Lighthouse for the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976. Jim also loved golf and was a member of Southward Ho Country Club in Brightwaters, NY. He served as General Counsel to Tii Technologies, Inc. from 1977 until March 2004 and served on Tii's Board of Directors from 1978 until his retirement from the Board in 2011. He served on the Board of Directors of the Suffolk County Chapter of the American Red Cross and was a founding member of the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society. Reposing at The Fredrick J. Chapy & Sons West Islip Funeral Home, 1225 Montauk Hwy. (1/4 mile west of the Robert Moses Cswy.). Celebration of the Liturgy of Christian Burial Thursday 9:45 AM at St. Joseph's RC Church, Babylon, LI. Interment to follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Babylon, LI. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Jim's name be made to The Suffolk County Chapter of the American Red Cross, 95 Horseblock Road, Yaphank, NY 11980, St. Joseph's RC Church, 39 North Carll Avenue, Babylon, NY 11702 or the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society, 1 Burma Road, Fire Island, NY 11702. Visiting Tuesday 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM and Wednesday 2:00 PM until 4:30 PM and 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM.