Cornelius V Grondahl

Con Grondahl, a City Island resident since 1974, passed away peacefully on March 18 in Panama City, Florida after suffering a massive stroke.
He was born Cornelius Victor Anthony Grondahl to Victor and Bridget (Donoghue) Grondahl on August 22, 1942, in Yorkville, NYC. He grew up on Manhattan's East Side where his love for the city began and never wavered. It was also where he met then married the love of his life – Patricia Walden. They were looking forward to celebrating their 60th anniversary on May 8.
From a young age his interests were many and varied-from ham radio, sports, and carpentry to camp counseling, and serving as an altar boy.
Con attended Cathedral College High School and graduated from Manhattan College with a civil engineering degree. He enjoyed a long and successful career as an engineer on various and many structures including NYC skyscrapers and even the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Cycling Track.
Love of fishing brought Con to City Island where he found a sense of community and a new home suited his family. He was all in. He became a Little League coach and was the head of the Parish Council for St. Mary's. He was a good neighbor, a City Island enthusiast, an involved resident and a familiar face in the community. He loved City Island.
Con's interest in theater led him to Island Patchwork where he assumed many roles including the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz, directing the memorable Oliver, and building sets with his friends for numerous productions. That interest continued with The City Island Theater Group where he used his carpentry skills to build sets. The highlight of his amateur theater experience was his enduring role as the father, Tony Riley, in Outside Mullingar.
He supplemented his love of fishing locally with excursions to Alaska and Baja. With Patty he began taking kayaking trips. Years of family tent-camping vacations transitioned to RV camping across the country with the couple's two dogs along with his mother-in-law and her dog. If there was an adventure to be had, Con would find it.
After fixing up a house on Fordham Street where his family lived for a number of years, a piece of property became available on Horton Street. This was the canvas Con, the artist, needed to design and build his dream house-a life-long goal. With help from his friends and family, Con realized that lifelong goal and created a wonderful family home, bathed in sunrise every day and overlooking Long Island Sound. This was the home he cherished, where he built memories and a legacy of love, where he joyfully lived out his life. His dream come true was a mission accomplished.
Con is survived by Patty, his children Andy and Nora (Cebollero), and grandson John Michael Cebollero. He was a favorite Uncle among many nephews and nieces; a beloved brother-in-law and cherished by many other relatives and friends that he touched throughout his life. Ultimately, he was a good man who loved nothing better than a thoughtful conversation.
A memorial mass will be held on April 26 at 11:00 am at St. Mary Star of the Sea.
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