Obituary: Albert Michael Grella Sr.

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Albert Michael Grella Sr.
Albert Michael Grella Sr.

NAUGATUCK — Mr. Albert Michael Grella, Sr., 95, of Naugatuck, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015 at the Glendale Center in Naugatuck, surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of the late Lucille (DeCarlo) Grella.

Mr. Grella was born in Waterbury on June 1, 1919 a son of the late Gennaro and Anna (Davino) Grella. Albert grew up in Town Plot and always very proud of his Italian heritage. He was educated in Waterbury Public Schools and was retired from Lewis Engineering where he had worked as a factory foreman for many years. In 1973 he and his wife won a trip which took them back to their roots of beautiful Italy, a memorable trip for both. Albert was fascinated with airplanes and at 11 years of age placed second in an airplane building contest, receiving an award presented by Amelia Earhart. He was so proud and rightfully so.

Al knew how to do just about everything, fix cars, spray paint cars, carpentry, welding, wallpapering and inventing. He was a jack of all trades. People would always ask him to fix things for them. Everything he did, he did with perfection. He had a very strong faith in God, always a joke or two up his sleeve, a smile and a twinkle in his eye. He worked very hard to raise and provide for his five children. In his later years he developed Alzheimer’s which thankfully never robbed him of his wonderful humor. He was sweet and loving until his last breath. He adored his wife and children and will be sorely missed.

Mr. Grella proudly served our country as a member of the United States Army during World War II and was a member of the Naugatuck American Legion Post 17.

Mr. Grella is survived by a daughter, Lucia Noel; and her husband, Peter, of Middlebury, four sons, James Grella and his wife, Rose, of Naugatuck, Albert Grella, Jr. of Waterbury, Louis Grella and his wife, Barbara, of Naugatuck, and Michael Grella of Rocky Hill; eight grandchildren, Christopher Grella, Nicole DeNote, Matthew Grella, Eric Grella, Allison Grella, Alexander Grella, Katie Noel and Rebecca Noel; two great-grandchildren, Nicholas DeNote and Lyla DeNote; a cousin, Josephine Carney; nephew, Michael Massimo and a niece, Rosemarie Massimo. He was predeceased by a brother, John Grella; a sister, Rose Massimo and a cousin, RoseMarie Stango.

Al’s family would like to thank the staff of the Glendale Center for the loving care that they provided for their dad during the final years of his life.

Mr. Grella’s funeral will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015 at 9:15 a.m. from the Prospect Memorial Funeral Home, 72 Waterbury Road, Prospect to St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 338 North Main St., Naugatuck for a mass at 10 a.m. Burial with full military honors will be in St. James Cemetery in Naugatuck. Calling hours will be held at the funeral home on Friday, Feb. 20, 2015 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Naugatuck Veterans Council will assemble at the funeral home on Friday evening at 6:45 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Connecticut Chapter, 2075 Silas Deane Highway, Rocky Hill, CT 06067 or to the Glendale Center, 4 Hazel Ave., Naugatuck, CT 06770.

To place online condolences, visit www.prospectmemorial.com.