John Michael Grocki

John Michael Grocki of Farmington and Unionville, CT, died peacefully on Saturday, December 24, 2022. He was born on January 18, 1944, to the late Michael and Helen Grocki. He grew up in Farmington attending Noah Wallace School and Kingswood School (now Kingswood-Oxford) in West Hartford.

In 1966 John graduated from Springfield College where he had studied and played all sports preparing him for a career teaching physical education and mathematics. He began his teaching career in Farmington where he taught elementary, middle, and high school. He was a teacher, coach, and sports administrator for 34 years. John also worked as general manager of the Farmington Field Club, a swim, tennis, and paddle tennis club in Farmington for 40 years. After 26 years of service in the Connecticut Air National Guard, he retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

John was the beloved husband for 56 years of his wife Jean. He leaves three devoted sons: John "Jay" Grocki, Mike Grocki and his wife Jamie, and Bill Grocki and his wife Michelle. He also leaves seven grandchildren; Courtney Pasquale and her husband Jeff, Aubrianna Zavilla and her husband Zack, Liam, Kai, An, Jake, and Mara Grocki, and five great-grandchildren; Finn and Bowie Pasquale, and Emelia, Darby, and Declan Zavilla. He leaves his sister and brother-in-law Elaine and Mel Bemis, and his brothers-in-law; Tom and his wife Sue, Joe and his wife Marlene, and Bob Zawacki as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother-in-law Mary Zawacki.

John served in many volunteer positions with the Farmington Foundation, Farmington Village Green and Library Association, Limestone Trout Club, and Farmington Little League. Fly Fishing, deep-sea fishing, gardening, cooking, traveling, and spending time with his family were his pleasure.

John's family would like to thank Kinga, Stanley, Russell, McLean Home Care, and the staff at Arden Courts of Farmington, for their kindness and compassion.

Services will be private. Donations in John's memory may be made to Alzheimer's Disease Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, PO Box 1950 Clarksburg, MD 20871-1950, or to the donor's charity of choice. Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc., www.ahernfuneralhome.com.