Andover - Joseph Michael Grassis, 69, husband of Donnabeth Dooley, passed away Thursday at Lawrence General Hospital with his loving family by his side.
The son of Joseph Grassis and Kathleen Tilley Grassis, Joseph was born in Lawrence, MA. He was raised and educated in Lawrence and attended St. Mary’s Grammar School, Lawrence High School (class of 1965), and Northern Essex Community College.
Joe served in the United States Air Force with the military police in Vietnam.He was a Lawrence firefighter for 25 years and an electrical contractor.
Joe loved his faith, his family, and his friends, but the light of his life was his granddaughter Maeve. “Gee” (as she shortened grampy) and Maeve were wonderful “fixers.” Gee often told Maeve they could fix anything but a broken heart. He leaves us all with broken hearts.
He is survived by his wife, Donnabeth, and three children: son, J. Michael, and his wife, Lee, of Methuen; daughter Molly Maesano and granddaughter, Maeve, of Andover; and daughter Julianne of Andover and her fiancée, James Waite, of Salem, NH. He is also survived by his brother, Don Grassis, and his wife, Pat, of Dracut, as well as sisters-in-law Barbara Dooley Campbell of Hampton, NH, and Marilyn Dooley of North Chelmsford. He also leaves numerous nieces and nephews, each of whom he truly cherished.
Joe was known for his sparkling personality and wonderful sense of humor. He made friends no matter where he went. He was lovingly called the “mayor of Aruba,” where he and his wife and family frequently travelled over the past 25 years. Joe’s other favorite travel places were Las Vegas and Foxwoods.
Joe was very active and found great solace in the Cursillo Community at St. Basil’s in Methuen. He also served as a Eucharistic Minister for St. Augustine’s Church in Andover.
Family and friends will honor and celebrate Joe's life by gathering for calling hours at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street, Methuen on Monday, May 9, 2016 from 4-8 PM. His Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Augustine Church in Andover on Tuesday at 1 PM. Burial will follow in St. Mary Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence. The family has requested, in Joe's honor, memorial contributions be made to St. Augustine's School, 26 Central Street, Andover, MA 01810, Lazarus House, 412 Hampshire Street, Lawrence, MA 01841, or St. Basil's Seminary, 30 East Street, Methuen, MA 01844. For directions or to send an online condolence to the Joe's family, please visit www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the Grassis family.