James J. "Jim" Grillo

James 'Jim' J. Grillo

James "Jim" J. Grillo, age 95, of Hibbing, Minn., passed from this world on Monday, November 3, 2025, at Hillcrest Assisted Living in Nashwauk, Minn.

He was born on July 23, 1930, in Hibbing, Minn., to Vincenzo "James" and Palmerina "Mary" (Tomaino) Grillo.

Jim loved the outdoors and loved spending time at his cabin on Perch Lake, where family was always welcome. Early on, he built an 18-foot cement block picnic table amongst the pines and birch at his beloved cabin so everyone could gather together and enjoy time as a family.

He worked for Stavn & Associates, which later became Concraft Builders, where he was known for his abilities and work ethic. A skilled bricklayer, Jim's craftsmanship can be seen from Grand Rapids to Ely where his talents have been on display for decades and will be for many decades into the future in many schools, churches, banks, apartment buildings as well as mining and paper mill structures. He never hesitated to volunteer his time and talents to help construct sports fields and arenas in Hibbing. He was especially proud of all that he contributed in making the Hibbing Fairgrounds Arena a reality. He was a longstanding member of the Knights of Columbus. Jim also stayed in touch with many long-time coworkers, maintaining friendships that lasted a lifetime.

Jim was one of the founders of the Hibbing Youth Hockey Program and enjoyed coaching youth hockey. A lifelong lover of all sports, hockey held a very special place in his heart, and he often reminisced about playing for one of Hibbing High School's first teams in 1948.

Jim was proud to serve in the US Army and always felt blessed to have been chosen to serve his time in Nuremberg, Germany. He was one of two soldiers chosen to play for Hockey Club Nuremburg (HGN) as part of the relationship building effort between the countries.

After returning home from the service, Jim married the love of his life, Priscilla "Dolly" Perushek, on April 23, 1955, at the Resurrection Church. The couple shared 69 wonderful years together before Dolly's passing in April of 2024.

Jim is survived by his children, Gina (Jeff) Rittgers, Denise (Bill) Garrity, Christine (Rich) Macy, Jim (Ann) Grillo, and Michael (Debbie) Grillo; grandchildren, Bill Garrity, Ryan Garrity, Megan Ellefson, Brooke Heubner, Kim Miller, Michelle Macy, Alexandra Gregory, Joey Grillo, Mekiah Grillo, and Liana Grillo; great-grandchildren, Payton Garrity, Lilly Garrity, Olivia Garrity, Dane Ellefson, Rylan Ellefson, Autra Heubner, Gabriel Heubner, Eli Heubner, Thomas Heubner, Gino Miller, Novak Miller, Emmitt Miller, Lydia Macy, Mindy Macy, Vash Macy, and Milo Gregory; siblings, William Grillo, and Grace Tomich.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Priscilla "Dolly" Grillo; parents, Vincenzo "James" and Palmerina "Mary" (Tomaino) Grillo; siblings, Angeline Perry, Bruno Grillo, Dominic Grillo, Mary Enich, Frank Grillo, Amelia Novak, Josephine Husted, Elena Geary; grandchildren, Jon Rittgers and Patrick Macy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Hibbing, Minn. Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Rev. Bill Skarich will officiate the Mass. Interment will be held at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Hibbing, Minn.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to the Knights of Columbus, American Red Cross or Hands at Work in Africa.

The Grillo family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Hillcrest in Nashwauk for their expert and loving care of Jim.

Arrangements are with the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing, MN.