Frederick Frank Groll

1930 – 2017

Fred Groll, 86 of West Springfield, passed away peacefully after a short illness on March 14 ^th . He was married to Marlyn Dearborn of Springfield for 62 wonderful years. Marlyn predeceased him in 2013. Fred was born in Springfield MA to Frank and Gertrud Groll. Fred was a 1947 graduate of Springfield Technical High School and Western New England College. He served in the US Army during the Korean War at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland. He went on to work in machine design at Van Norman Machine Company Springfield MA, Hamilton Standard Windsor Locks CT, and Vice President of Engineering at Leybold-Heraeus Enfield CT before opening his consulting machine design company, Production Technologies. After returning from Maryland, Fred and Marlyn moved to West Springfield, where they raised their family. Fred was a life-long member of the Springfield Turnverein along with parents and extended family, serving as Vice President and President of STV, as well as President of the Men's Singing Section. He served on the West Springfield Capital Planning Board for many years. Fred leaves extended family in Germany and here. He leaves his brother and best friend, Walter Groll of West Springfield. He also leaves 3 children: Donna Brunton (Mark), Linda DeGray (John), all of Agawam, and Fred Kurt Groll (Claire) of Rutland MA. Fred was the loving grandfather to Kara Damseaux (Tom), Krista Hallock (Peter), Kamaris Lessard (Rick DelBarba), Jason DeGray (Andrea), Jessica Chechile (Brian), Jeff Groll (Maggie), Kelley Groll (Hunter Gomez) and Tyler Groll. He was also the proud great-grandfather of 13: Kaylene (Vince Caetano), Kyle, Kory, Ryan, Trevor, Kevin, Allie, Brooke, Jonathan, Patrick, Steven, James, and Raegan. Fred was also great-great-grandfather to Landon, and leaves 3 nieces; Lisa Groll, Tina DePergola (Frank) and Susan Groll (Mark Provost). Fred enjoyed many things in life, especially wood-working, fishing, and sports – at the top of the list, he was an avid life-long Boston Red Sox fan. He took great pride and comfort in the home he and Marlyn shared for 55 years. Fred's family is forever grateful to the staff at Heritage Dialysis, Agawam, especially Jennifer and Megan, with whom he had a very special relationship for the past 7 years. Family and friends are invited to meet at St. Thomas the Apostle Church Monday at 9:00am for the Liturgy of Christian Burial followed by internment in St. Michael"s Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held Sunday from 4:00 – 7:00pm at the West Springfield Curran-Jones Funeral Home. For online condolences please visit curranjones.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Kidney Foundation.