HOLLISTON: Dr. John Andrew Growich, Jr., age 89, a renowned microbiologist and geneticist, gentle father and loving friend, died peacefully at home in Holliston after a long illness. He was the devoted husband of Evelyn Lucas Growich, who passed away in 1971, and Clare Schneider Growich, who predeceased him in 2005.
Born and raised in the Hollis section of Queens, New York, he was a son of the late John A. and Ethel (Kostacky) Growich. John entered the Navy after graduating from high school and served with Naval Aviation. Trained as a Hellcat pilot, he was one of the fortunate ones not to see battle. After the war he received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Muhlenberg College and went on to earn two doctorates: one in genetics and the other in microbiology, both from Lehigh University.
John married Evelyn in 1949. After John completed his education in Allentown, PA, they made their home in New City, NY, where he would be a longtime dedicated Warden at Saint John’s Episcopal Church. John was employed for 43 years with American Cyanamid’s Lederle Labs in Pearl River, NY, where among his many innovations, he developed tetracycline and its many derivatives that are still in use today. He was also an effective troubleshooter for contamination issues commonly found in the production of pharmaceuticals, and offered his expertise to colleagues in Spain, Japan, Italy, Canada, India, and Brazil.
A family oriented man known for unreserved honesty in his opinions, John was forever enchanted with his grandchildren. A world traveler and proficient gardener, he and Clare, whom he had married in 1973, moved to Monterey, California in 1996. John spent the next many years as a volunteer docent at the Monterey Aquarium and as a nursing home ombudsman. He left Monterey in 2009, and moved to Holliston to be closer to family. He had since been active with the Pilgrim Church in Sherborn.
He is survived by two daughters and a son, Nancy Claire Vaida of Medway, William Growich of New City, NY, and Janet Murray of PA; and four grandchildren, Allison Rose and her husband Thomas Rose, Jr. of Medway, Justin Vaida and his wife JoAnn Cohen-Vaida of Attleboro, Evan Vaida of Medway, and Janel McKinster of CO. . John is also survived by a large and loving extended family, among them Bobbi Badgley of FL; Conti Whitney, Judy Schneider, Janet Schneider, Eric Schneider, and John Schneider, all on the West Coast; and Clare Barringer and husband Drew of London. He was also predeceased by a son, John A. Growich, II, and his sister, Ethel Badgley
His Memorial Service will be held in the Pilgrim Church UCC Congregational, 25 South Main Street (Rte 27) Sherborn, on Saturday, March 29th at 10:00a.m. Burial will be private. Donations may be made in John ‘s memory to the church music program.