Joseph Bennett Grocock

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Episcopal School of Jacksonville Middlebury College

Joseph Grocock Obituary

Name: Memorial service for Joseph Bennett Grocock
Start: 2015-08-12T14:00:00.000Z
Location: St Mary's Episcopal Church

GROCOCK With great sadness, the family of Joseph Bennett Grocock announces his passing on July 18, 2015, at the age of 91. Ben is survived by his wife, Patricia McKinsey, son James Bennett Grocock, daughter Catherine Grocock Travis, and granddaughters Rachel Michelle Grocock and Sarah Catherine Grocock. Ben was preceded in death by his brother Robert Gordon Grocock, as well as his mother and father Agnes Bennett Grocock, and Joseph Foxhall Grocock. Born in New Haven, CT, Ben grew up in Boston, MA and Oneida, NY. He graduated from Oneida HS, began matriculation at Union College in Schenectady, NY, interrupting his studies to enlist in the US Navy. After completing four years of service, including a stint in the North Atlantic aboard the USS Grand Rapids PF-31 as a radio operator, Ben returned to graduate from Union with a major in French and then from Middlebury College in Vermont with a Masters Degree in French. Ben spent his life in education, using wit and patience in his classrooms, typically taking on the students who struggled the most. His journey in education began at St George's School in Newport, RI; then to the Severn School, in Severna Park, MD, where he began administrative work and soon met his wife to be; St. Albans School, in Washington DC, where he taught French, ran the Summer School, and then became Dean of Students for 15 years; and lastly, at Episcopal School of Jacksonville, FL, where he became their second headmaster before his eventual retirement. A memorial Service, to be officiated by the Rev. Celeste Tisdelle, will be held on Wednesday, August 12, at 10:00am, at St Mary's Episcopal Church, 400 St John's Ave, Green Cove Springs, FL. Friends and former students are invited to attend this service and to meet afterwards for refreshments in the Parish Hall. Family encourages those unable to attend to share memories and stories via the on-line memorial at www.forevermissed.com. In lieu of flowers at the church, we encourage remembrances in Ben's name to the Wounded Warrior Project, the Alzheimer's Association, or to St Mary's Episcopal Church, Green Cove Springs.

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Published by Florida Times-Union on Aug. 5, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Grocock

Sponsored by Jacksonville.com.

5 Entries

Laura Register Reinbold

August 11, 2015

I am so sorry that I cannot be with you tomorrow to celebrate Mr. Grocock's life. I am smiling now thinking of many years at Episcopal and beyond - his twinkling eyes, patience and indulgent kindness are what I remember best. To Pat, Cathy and Ben - may God's comfort and strength be yours.

David Young

August 8, 2015

Hearing of Mr. Grocock's passing has brought back lots of treasured memories from Episcopal. He was a wonderful leader and helped EHS get to where it is today. Rest in peace and rise in glory.

Karen Kelly Becker

August 8, 2015

Ned & I remember Ben fondly from the years we spent together at Episcopal, & we are saddened to hear of his passing. Our love & heartfelt sympathy to the many family members who mourn his loss, especially Pat, Ben, & Catherine

Janet Obi

August 5, 2015

I am so sorry to hear that Mr Grocock has passed away. My sincere condolences go to all his family and friends. He was such a lovely Headmaster and will be well remembered for his many years of service and dedication. It seems like yesterday when he interviewed me as a prospective student. Thanks to Mr Grocock, I enjoyed four wonderful years which I will always treasure. R.I.P

August 5, 2015

Pat and Family -
I was so saddened when my Mother told me of Ben's passing this morning...
I'm sure you know this - but he is so special to me, as someone who took the time to encourage me and believe in me as a young person. We met when he had retired from education - working side-by-side in Jacobson's mens' department - he would help me with my college French work between customers and our conversations were something I always looked forward to. I learned of his time in the Navy, the time he spent in France and his time as a headmaster and his experiences teaching (I even learned the story of how you two met!). We always found the funny in our often "unusual" customers and co-workers and I loved his intellectual musings amidst the suits, shoes and occasional monotony of our work.
He always wrote so fondly of his family after I moved away - and I know you were all the source of his joy.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers and I feel so blessed to have been even a small part of his wonderful life... With great love and the warmest of remembrance,
Anne Wolfe Liebergall

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