Alexander G. Gretsky
WWII Army Veteran
TEWKSBURY: Alexander G. “Al” Gretsky, age 92, of Gilford, NH, a former longtime Tewksbury resident, passed away at the Blaire House of Tewksbury on Friday, March 17, 2017.
He was the beloved husband of Marilyn (Baggs) Gretsky, who passed away on September 22, 1994 and the devoted father of Alexander A. Gretsky, who passed away on May 6, 2006.
Born in Woburn on April 29, 1924, he was the son of the late Alexander S. Gretsky and the late Josephine (Wolk) Gretsky.
Al was raised in Woburn and Chelsea, and graduated from Chelsea High School in 1942.
Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with Battery B 221st Coast Artillery Battalion during World War II. Al received several decorations for his active duty service including the Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon and the World War II Victory Medal.
Prior to his retirement, he worked as a steel fabricator for the Hayes Pump & Machinery Company in West Concord and Maynard. He previously worked for the Phinney Steel Pole Company.
Al resided in Tewksbury since 1956 until moving to Gilford in 1999.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Fr. Francis Coppens Council # 4336, the Tewksbury V.F.W. Post # 8164, the Tewksbury D.A.V. Post # 110, and the St. Williams Church Men’s Club.
Al enjoyed hunting, boating, fishing, and spending time with family and friends especially at Lake Winnipesaukee.
He is survived by his daughter, Donna M. Griffiths of Tewksbury; three grandchildren, Patrick Griffiths and his wife Amy of Lowell, Alex Gretsky of Salt Lake City, UT, and Kate O’Donnell and her husband Ken of Haverhill; five great grandchildren, Candace and Conor Griffiths, Camden, Colby and Kylie O’Donnell; one sister, Linda Snyder of Westchester, PA; many nieces and nephews.
Al was the brother of the late Phyllis Larosa, Janice Richardson, and Walter Gretsky.
Calling hours are Wednesday, March 22, from 4-8 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. His funeral will be held Thursday, March 23, at 9 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. Services will conclude in the Chapel at St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Jimmy Fund, www.jimmyfund.org, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284.