Stonington - Marc A. Gruenenfelder, aged 71, of Stonington, passed away peacefully at home Aug, 11, 2024, with his loving wife, Nicole Naylor, by his side. Born April 9, 1953, in St. Louis, Mo., Marc was the only son of Marc A. and Lorraine H. (Tallan) Gruenenfelder.

Marc was a renaissance man who cultivated a wealth of knowledge in the areas of petroleum engineering, petroleum economics, patent design, architectural design, music theory, guitar playing, travel, culinary arts, fine wines, and gardening. He completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Missouri at Rolla, School of Engineering. His exciting career as a petroleum engineer afforded experiences which included working for Gulf in New Orleans, teaching petroleum economics at Tulane University, working on an oil rig in the North Sea off of Aberdeen, Scotland, and moving to Stonington, to work for the Pfizer Oil Group. The culmination of his career led him to France, where he became the director of petroleum engineering for SNF Floeger. His expertise at SNF required global traveling every other week until his retirement in 2020. His friends and family never tired of the stories of his many world travels and adventures.

Marc's marriage to Nicole was filled with playing music, performing, gardening, traveling, and undertaking countless home projects. They played as a duo, Marc on guitar and Nicole on the octave mandolin, and had planned on performing together in their retirement years. Marc was a wonderful stepfather and Grampaw. He embraced fatherhood and enjoyed every moment spent with his big family, whether it was getting together for a family dinner, or watching the kids playing on the baseball field or soccer field. One of Marc's greatest joys was designing and building a passive solar home over 35 years ago (a testament to his passion for engineering). Marc and his family filled the home with music, laughter, love and countless gatherings for holidays, feasts and live music.

Marc's understated intellect was overshadowed by his charismatic warmth and love of life and people. He had an insatiable appetite for information, and generously shared his knowledge with those around him. A brilliant and passionate musician, Marc knew everything there was to know about The Beatles, and loved nothing more than jamming, giving guitar lessons, and making beautiful music with his friends and family.

Marc was predeceased by his parents; his sister Mary Ann "Mimi" Wahlig; his stepson Patrick Naylor; and his brother-in-law Bob Brady. He is survived by his beloved wife Nicole; his stepdaughters, Carley Higginbotham (Dave) and Renee Saltzman (Nancy); his sisters, Andrea Macmillan (John) and Jan Terry; his grandchildren: Quinn, Ellis, Chase, and Harlow; his nieces and nephews: Matthew Hendrick, Brian Hendrick, Steven Whalig, Lisa Repinski, Patricia Singer, Christa Sutter and David Schulte; and his beloved best friends: John Ellis, Pat O'Dea, Judd Holt, and Keith Lively. He will also be terribly missed by his favorite labradoodles, Zoey and Louie.

Many thanks to the countless doctors and nurses from Massachusetts General Hospital and Smilow Cancer Center for taking such excellent care of Marc. He battled this disease for eight years with bravery, optimism and integrity.

In honor of Marc's wishes, the family has chosen not to have services at this time. Burial will be private, and a celebration of Marc's life will be held with close friends and family sometime next year. The Mystic Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements. Please visit www.mysticfuneralhome.com to sign the guestbook or to share a memory. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to American Cancer Society Hope Lodge.

Marc's unwavering kindness, determination, strength and love of music will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

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Published by The Day on Aug. 19, 2024.