Ronald P. Grosso

Ronald P. Grosso
Ronald P. Grosso, age 89, of Stratford, beloved husband of Mary Grace Hoffer Grosso, died peacefully on Monday, October 13, 2025, at Bridgeport Hospital. Born in Bridgeport on February 17, 1936, he was a son of the late Michael and Margaret DiPronio Grosso and was a Stratford resident for over sixty years.
Ron, as he was affectionately known, was a shining light in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. His journey on earth was one marked by love, integrity, compassion, and an unwavering faith in God. Ron found joy not in grand gestures or material objects, but in the everyday moments that truly matter. Ron dedicated his life to his family. He had a brilliant, creative mind and a endearing sense of humor. The "Ron Grosso Dictionary" filled with hilarious "Ron-isms" will live on through his children.
Ron's presence was a quiet, powerful force of goodness. He was a proud 1953 graduate of Fairfield Preparatory High School. Ron went onto Fairfield University, where he was a member of the baseball team. In 1956, Ron was severely injured during a game when he was hit in the head and in a coma for several days. Dedicated to his full recovery, Ron graduated from Fairfield University in 1958 and enrolled in a doctoral program at Pennsylvania State University, where he earned a PhD in Physics and grew an affinity for the Penn State Nittany Lions.
Ron met his future wife, Mary, while both were studying at Penn State. In 1961, they married and together they raised six children. Ron lived a life of example. He was completely devoted to Mary and was a loving and steady guiding light to his children, who cherished him deeply.
Ron enjoyed a long and distinguished career as an Optical Physicist. As evidence of his loyalty and dedication, Ron was employed at the same Norwalk location for his entire professional career. Ron began his career with Perkin Elmer where he proudly worked on the Hubble Telescope. He later worked for Silicon Valley Group and ASML.
Ron was a devout Roman Catholic and always lived with an unyielding trust in God's plan. For nearly six decades, he was an active parishioner of St. Mark Church in Stratford. Ron served as an usher for many years, and Ron and Mary were enthusiastic cast members in the St. Mark theatrical productions. Some of Ron's favorite performances were in the musicals The King and I, Hello Dolly, South Pacific, Oliver, My Fair Lady, Guys and Dolls, Damn Yankees, Fiddler on the Roof and his favorite, Senator Jack S. Phogbound opposite Mary's Mammy Yokum in Li'l Abner. Ron also participated in annual retreats at Holy Family Monastery in Hartford.
Ron exemplified generosity and selfless service throughout his life and was an active and dedicated volunteer for several community organizations. While Ron was a humble man, he was particularly proud when he was given the Golden Hammer Award for his outstanding support of the local Habitat for Humanity chapter. In their later years, Ron and Mary were long-standing members of the Elderberries, a musical-variety group that performed at local convalescent homes. Ron especially loved singing the music of Al Jolson and it would be impossible to count the number of times he listened to or watched the Sound of Music.
In his free time, Ron embraced the simple pleasures of life. Ron enjoyed gardening and carpentry and was an avid and disciplined athlete. For decades, Ron was committed to daily runs around Stratford, tennis on the weekends, golf at Short Beach in Stratford and skiing at Powder Ridge Mountain. Ron continued to play golf and was a member of the Sterling Ski Club well into his 70s. Ron also played in numerous softball and basketball leagues for many years. He was a passionate Yankees fan and enjoyed "coaching" the Yanks from this home, sometimes to the dismay of those around him. He found peace in quiet moments outdoors and introspective moments in his home office. Ron's mind was ingenious and there wasn't anything he couldn't make with some cardboard and duct tape.
In addition to his wife Mary of 63 years, survivors include their six loving children, Vincent Grosso, Margaret Richter, Christopher Grosso and his wife Karen, Mary Elizabeth Brand and her husband Christopher, Ellen Grosso and her husband Gary Williams, and Anne Davino and her husband Robert; eighteen grandchildren, Michael Grosso and his wife Danie, Ashley Crewse and her husband Josh, Anthony Grosso and his wife Tracy, Ava, Ian and Sam Grosso, Matthew and Jack Richter, Christopher, Daniel and Tyler Grosso, Graydon and Griffin Brand, Aidan, Yeabsera and Ryan Grosso Williams, Sofia and Rocco Davino; four great-grandchildren, Ella Rose Oum Grosso, Madison and Zander Crewse and Ronald (Ronnie) Grosso; a sister-in-law, Therese Grosso, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, James M. Grosso, Michael Grosso and his wife Helen, and a sister, Rosemary Obbagy and her husband John.
Friends are invited to meet directly in at St. Mark Church, 500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 10 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Friends may call on Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ron's memory to Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County, 1785 Stratford Avenue, Stratford, CT 06615. To leave an online condolence, visit www.abriola.com