Philip J. Grace
WWII Navy Veteran
TEWKSBURY: Philip J. Grace, age 100, a resident of Tewksbury for 25 years, formerly of Springfield, Westfield, Longmeadow, Winchester and Alamo, CA, passed away at the Chelsea Soldiers Home in Chelsea, MA on Thursday, January 27, 2022.
He was the beloved husband of many years to Marjorie A. (Carr) (Caveney) Grace.
Born in Springfield on January 16, 1922, he was the son of the late Philip A. Grace and the late Mary (Driscoll) Grace.
Mr. Grace was raised in Springfield and was a graduate of Springfield Central High School, where he starred on both the football and hockey teams.
In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the U.S.S. Walker, the U.S.S. Renshaw, the U.S.S. Pringle and the U.S.S. Robinson. He was awarded several decorations for his military service including the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with 10 stars, the American Theatre Ribbon, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 star, the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, as well as a Letter of Commendation and the Commendation Ribbon.
Following his honorable discharge from active duty, he attended Northeastern University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in business management.
Mr. Grace had a long career in business, including several decades with the Milton Bradley Company, of Springfield, where he served as Treasurer prior to their acquisition by the Hasbro Toy Company. He was previously employed at Indian Motorcycle, Vogue Dolls, and in airport management.
After his retirement, he enjoyed spending his winters in Florida, where he continued playing golf, tennis and researching naval history well into his later years. In addition, he was an avid swimmer who once saved a woman from drowning.
He was a member of the North Andover V.F.W., Andover Country Club, and a former member of the Winchester and Longmeadow Country Clubs.
In addition to his wife Marjorie, family members include his sister, Mary (Grace) Boucher, of Springfield:; four children: Mark (Deborah) Grace, of Nokomis, FL, Michael (Carol) Grace, of Rochester, NY, Chantal (Peter) Polsonetti, of Wenham, and the late Stephen (Maureen) Grace; seven grandchildren:, Seth, Shawn, Rebecca, Sarah, and Julia Grace, Kerry (McDermott) Roberts, Hazen Polsonetti, great granddaughter, Lilliana Jeffords: Marjorie’s children, Keith Caveney, Gary Caveney, T.J. Caveney, and Maura Maher: numerous nephews and nieces.
The Grace family would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Soldiers Home in Chelsea for their tremendous care during Mr. Grace’s latter years.
Placement of his ashes will be held Wednesday, May 18th at 3 p.m. at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Agawam. The family welcomes donations in his name to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan Street, Danvers, MA 01923.