FRANK GRUSKAY

GRUSKAY, FRANK Frank Gruskay of Holmes Beach, Florida and Hamden, Connecticut, died on December 18, at the age of 87. The eldest son of Maurice and Rose Gruskay, he was born in Waterbury, Connecticut. He attended Wesleyan University where he excelled in academics and basketball, majoring in pre med studies. During this time, he met his wife of 61 years, Bette Gordon. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine in 1954 and completed residency in pediatrics at Yale and Johns Hopkins University. After serving in the Army in Fort Meade, Maryland from 1957-1959, he moved with his family to New Haven where he entered private practice. In 1961, he co-founded the Milford Pediatric Group where he continued to work for 55 years. He was a brilliant pediatrician but it was his kind and gentle manner that drew thousands of patients to see him over the years. However, his greatest achievement and love was his family. He and Bette raised 3 children, Jeff, Susan and Nancy. Despite working many hours in the office and even doing house calls at night, he always made time for their games, swim meets, dance recitals and concerts, and was proud of their accomplishments. This pride was multiplied exponentially when it came to his grandchildren. He loved and knew each one of them, celebrating their unique gifts and pushing them to be their best. Just the mention of any of their names would result in a big smile on his face. He enjoyed sports of all kinds, including basketball, tennis and swimming. He loved to garden, play bridge, watch movies, read books, listen to opera, attend New Haven Symphony Orchestra concerts and watch UCONN Husky basketball. In his later years, Frank wintered in Florida where he enjoyed walks on the beach and watching sunsets. He loved to travel, especially to Italy. He will be deeply missed. He is survived by his son, Jeff and his daughter in law, Donna, his daughter, Nancy, and sons-in-law, Mark Gershman and Richard Warford, grandchildren, Matthew, Jordan, Lucas, Lindsay, Jesse and Sara Rose and his companion, Gilda Lender. He was predeceased by his wife, Bette and daughter, Susan Warford. Funeral Services at Robert E. Shure Funeral Home, 543 George St., New Haven, FRIDAY, December 23, at 11:00 a.m. with interment to follow at B’nai Jacob Memorial Park, 200 Wintergreen Ave, New Haven. A period of mourning will be observed at Whitney Center, 200 Leeder Hill Dr., Hamden, Apt. 2609 on Friday 3-7 p.m. and Saturday 12-4 p.m. Memorial Contributions may be sent to Dept. of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, Dr. Frank Gruskay Endowment Fund, P.O.Box 208064, New Haven, CT 06520-8064. To sign an on-line registry book or to leave a message of condolence, please visit; www.shurefuneralhome.com