Obituary of Nicholas Henry Grosz Jr.

Semper Fidelis

Nicholas Henry Grosz, Jr., 83, of Fairfax Station, VA, passed away on December 13, 2023, after a long and courageous battle with cardiac amyloidosis.

Nicholas “Nick” H. Grosz, Jr. was born on 3 July 1940 in Brooklyn, New York to Nicholas and Helen Grosz. He was a 1958 graduate of Hackensack High School where he lettered in football and baseball. He attended the University of Rhode Island where he played football for four years and was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. Nick participated in the Army ROTC Program and spent two summers at the USMC Platoon Leaders Course in Quantico, Virginia. He graduated in June 1962 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education and Psychology and was commissioned an officer in the United States Marine Corps.

Nick served three tours in Vietnam. During that period, he was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism during Operation Harvest Moon in 1965. Other decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with combat “V” distinguishing device, and the Purple Heart.

In 1967, he met the love of his life, Loretta Jo Shaner at Expo ‘67 in Montreal, Canada. They wed July 27, 1968, and have two sons, Matthew and Martin. Nick was a devoted husband and father, avid exercise enthusiast, prayer warrior and active member of his church. After retiring from the Marine Corps as a Colonel in 1990, he went on to have two successive careers. The first was with Navy Mutual Aid Association, retiring as Vice President for Membership in 2003. Nick then served many years as a training officer with the U.S. Investigation Services / PAE until 2018. His truest passions were honoring God and country, loving his wife and family, and serving the church and others. He was truly a model husband, father, and grandfather, and his love of the Lord showed in the gospel of his life and actions.

Nick was predeceased by his parents Nicholas and Helen Grosz. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Loretta, his elder son Matthew and daughter-in-law Valerie, his younger son Martin and daughter-in-law Michele, and his grandchildren Zachary, Joshua, Kathleen, Grace and Abram. Nick is also survived by his brother Robert and his sons and their families.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church with the designation to Nicholas Grosz Memorial Fund.

Visitation/viewing will be January 11, 2024, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 8304 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA 22152, from 5-7 p.m.

The Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Nick will take place at the church on Friday, January 12, 2024, with viewing at 10 a.m.; service at 11 a.m.; and luncheon reception following in the church’s fellowship hall.

Interment with military honors will at Arlington National Cemetery on April 9, 2024, at 11 a.m., Old Post Chapel, 204 Arlington Ave, Fort Myer, VA 22211.

Please click here for information regarding entrance to Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall via the Hatfield Gate.