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Theodore M. Grohoski

October 15, 2009

Theodore M. “Ted” Grohoski, 82, died October 15, 2009, surrounded by family.

He was born in Wilkes-Barre, on May 11, 1927, a son of the late Joseph and Anna Chiscon Grohoski. He was a longtime resident of an area of Kingston once known as Chiscon’s Corners, before relocating to Daniel J. Flood Towers. He attended Valley Forge Military Academy, Kingston High School and New York University. During the waning days of World War II, he volunteered for service in the Army Air Force, where he trained as a radio operator/gunner aboard heavy bombers. Too late to participate in the air war over Europe, he did his duty as a member of the army of occupation in post-war Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1947 with medals awarded for good conduct and marksmanship.

On July 12, 1952, he married the love of his life, the former Teresa Krum, from the Parsons section of Wilkes-Barre. They were married for 50 years until Teresa’s untimely death in 2002. Together, they owned and operated the Atlantic Fruit and Meat Market in Luzerne from 1952 to 1959. They also operated the Cut Rite Meat Market in Kingston until 1960, which was started by his maternal grandfather in 1909. Afterward, he worked at the old Fischer Brothers Market, Edwardsville. For the next 20 years, he was an agent for Western & Southern Insurance Company selling life insurance throughout the Back Mountain area. In 1981, he realized a lifelong dream when they opened Grohoski’s Antiques at the site of his former grocery store. He was a particularly astute student of the strategies and battles that took place on the Eastern Front during World War II. His enrollment in Luzerne County Community College to study law and case history at the age of 74 reflected his desire to be a life-long learner.

He is survived by daughter, Teresa Phillips, and son-in-law, Richard, Churchtown; son Ted Jr. and daughter-in-law Marsha, Plymouth Township; son Christopher and daughter-in-law Jane, Wyoming; grandchildren Amy Phillips, Karen Phillips McCullough and husband Michael; Katherine Ann, Cassandra, Zachary, and Rebecca Grohoski; step-grandchildren Joann Bohn Napolitano and husband Christopher, and Janet Bohn; and step-great-grandson Nathan Napolitano.

A memorial service was held Nov. 6 in St. Mary’s Annunciation Church, Kingston, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial with interment St. John’s Cemetery in Dallas. Memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross or the Hoyt Library.