Pierre A. Grethen

Pierre Albert Jean Grethen was born February 16, 1928 in Manhattan, New York and passed away on May 21, 2023 in Pensacola, Florida.
Pierre and his family returned to Paris, France from New York when Pierre turned 3 years old. During his childhood in Paris, Pierre got into plenty of mischief with his siblings, shared jokes and laughter with his dad, and hopped on his bike every afternoon to grab a baguette from the corner bakery for his mom. Throughout WWII, Pierre and his family were active in the resistance and aided the rescue of several men. Later, Pierre joined the United States Air Force and while stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base, met and fell in love with Ruby. They were married for 70 years and raised two daughters he adored, Debbie and Gina.
Pierre was a people-person who worked as Business Manager for Burke Construction for 40 years. A long-time member at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Pierre served on the vestry, as an usher, eucharistic minister, and participant in the men's club. In the 60+ years he called Mobile, Alabama home, Pierre enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels to many in the community and celebrating Mardi Gras with The Order of Inca. Well into his 90's, Pierre exercised weekly at Operation Bounce Back, where he championed others and received awards for service and dedication, including Most Determined, Most Spirited, and Good Samaritan.
Pierre took joy in 95 years of hobbies including painting, doodling on napkins, traveling, whipping up batches of his famous French Onion Soup for family, taking care of the birds in his yard, gardening, tinkering with numerous projects in the garage, learning, and kicking back at his mountain retreat, "Le Petit Château," in Tennessee. Pierre was generous with a kindhearted word and always had a trick up his sleeve to bring joy to the people he most loved.
Pierre is preceded in death by his parents, Jean and Renée Grethen, brother, Jack (Marie Lou), and sister, Nanny. He is survived by his wife, Ruby Grethen; his two daughters, Debbie Grethen Adams (Steve) and Gina Grethen Howell (Jeff); his grandchildren, Todd O. Adams, Katie Adams Kuhn (Eric), Kylie Grethen Howell, and Jason C. Howell (Beth); great-grandchildren, John-Paul J. Kuhn and Sylvie Renee Kuhn; and countless family and friends.
The Celebration of Life Service to honor Pierre will be held on Friday, June 16, 2023, at 11AM at Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 34904 State Hwy. 225 in Spanish Fort, Alabama.
"To drink, to eat, to love, it is the life."
Expressions of condolence for the family may be made at www.hughesfh.com. Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.