Part 2 of life with Al growing up…

Going to grandma’s house for lunch was a whole  ‘nother story. Al insisted on ketchup on his rice (who does that)? Lol, of course Papa Gramza aka Mr Kitzel always took Al & Geno to Sam the barber…Papa would show up & for the life of me I never saw Al run so fast! When that Buick Lasabre pulled in haul  a_ _, LOL! And of course I had to like the Steelers even if I didn’t want to. Al would watch them faithfully since I was 8 yrs old. He would pound the floor if they lost and there would be hell to pay.

When my brother graduated college, he worked tirelessly to find a job…after many rejections he landed a job at Rochester Button Co. He was celebrating & my Mom who bought him a beautiful suit, which she poured her heart into ironing ensuring there were no wrinkles. He ran into the house one day and opened the offer letter. From there he and my Mom danced around the house in celebration! He gave her his first $1,000 check, they were elated!

I’ll never forget Ron DeFrance & the show Bowling for Dollars. Ron was so impressed by Al’s “ Fred Flintstone” style on the alley & his power that he referred to him as Al “the bull” Gramza, lol. He came in second only by a few pins and won a mattress and 6 cases of Green Screamers (beer) the local brew as we knew it.

Scholar, athlete, brother all attributes we admire but most of all LOVE. Fly high Al with Mommie & Daddy and we will always have you living on forever in our hearts. You will be missed.

I have many favorite memories of my brother Al from childhood to adults…I’ll never forget the gray metal bank he received with the red combination lock as a gift, he was about 9 years old at the time and counting his “moolah” including the Kennedy half dollars our grandpa would slip us here and there. He knew from there exactly what he was going to do for a living “cha chang.” Another childhood classic was the infamous “jolly pile”. Al would drop the leg on his “victim” sisters of the day and give them “pink bellies.” A pink belly is what seemed like endless priding & poking of our bellies until they were pink or until we wet our pants. Just when I thought it was safe to come out of my room Al would jump out and start “pinging” which consisted of poking my ribs/kind of like a cattle prod. Some of the funniest memories were when Dad and Al would compete in different things. As my Dad got older & Al was in his prime they would stand back to back and ask me who was taller. Nothing like refereeing two men, lol. The best one was Dad and Al playing ping pong in our old house we grew up in. There was an old unfinished basement bathroom with wooden slats for walls. Al was on the side near the wall when he dove trying to return a shot and dove right through the wall. The only thing funnier would be if the toliet seat would have been around his neck. From then on he was “Al the stuntman.” Nothing was like going to Catholic school with all your siblings…boy did he hate the clip on tie. One day in 8th grade he upset Sister Anne so much that he was sent to my sister Karen’s first grade class and had to sit in a teeny tiny desk with her whole class for the day. He was always tall so sitting with his knees to his chin might of been painful, lol. (To be continued)

My love and prayers to Chris, Kyle, Ryan and their beautiful family.   You couldn’t help but love Al as soon as you met him!  He was the most generous, kind and loving person I’ve ever met!  A true family man and a true gentleman.   It was easy to see how much he cherished his family, and the bond they all shared.   We always joked that I wouldn’t have finished my degree without him… but I know that I wouldn’t have without his math help!  I will never forget all the card games, boat outings, golfing adventures, humorous text messages, and amazing talks.  The world is a little less bright without Al. Al made a huge impact on me, and my husband considered him a “brother”.   We love you, Al.  I will be looking for more dimes.

Chris, 

Leah and I were saddened to hear about the passing of Al. We want you to know that our thoughts, prayers, and love are with you and your family during this time.

My sincerest sympathy to Chris, Kyle and Ryan, and Al’s sisters.
The last time I saw Al was 2 yrs ago at my Best friends celebration of life at my home.   Julie loved Cousin Al so very much and wanted 43 of her closest friends and family there to celebrate her life as she knew she was dying.  The picture attached shows how much they celebrated each other that day and how blessed to be together once again in heaven.

Love you all.

Maria Rosica-  Rochester

Al is a great brother and an exceptional human being. He was intelligent, had a great sense of humor and always made me proud to be his sister. In our early childhood he stuck gum in my hair which prevented me from getting formal pictures taken until my hair grew back to this day there is a lack of pictures of me in early childhood, lol, he teased my friend Marie mercilessly ( I once asked him if he thought Marie was pretty and he said yeah, pretty ugly), he beat me at every game we played and ate my share of ice cream when I was looking forward to a treat after a long day of Catholic school. Al once won an Arnold Palmer putting championship and got his picture taken with Arnold Palmer himself. Al was am amazing bowler and could have been on a traveling league easily. In grammar school he always was in the top 5 in academics which drove many of his friends to do better. Al made everyone proud when he received a scholarship to St. John Fischer college and graduated with honors. He was always the responsible person and he had many admirers. Al always had a great group of friends around him and I believe that is why he had such a great sense of humor. I will miss him telling me that I was one hurting’ buck and other terms such as humie which is slang for humorous.
 
If I was ever to describe the perfect brother I would have to say Al was that guy. He was kind and sensitive yet worldly and grounded. He achieved much in his career and academics and really stood out due to his height. He always cared so much about his children and was a great Dad and so caring. Al always treated people with dignity and respect and I never once questioned his decisions, he was always ahead of his time. If you were lucky enough to know him you are very fortunate. I feel his loss so greatly though we lived very far from each other. Al lived his best and highest purpose and I know he left this world with all the love he deserved. Farewell Al we know God has you in his arms. I love you. 

Gramza Family -
Our hearts ache for all of you.  Chris, you and Al will always be treasured by Amy and me for the selfless sacrifice you both gave to the University of Rochester and, especially, your devotion to the students.  You always opened your house to us and we thank you.  Al was such a source of joy whenever we would visit.  He will be missed.  We pray for healing and strength in this time of mourning.  

I am so saddened to hear this news.  I really enjoyed getting to know Al the past few years.  He was always so positive and thoughtful, clearly a special person who made an impact in the world.   I offer my deepest condolences to Chris and the entire Gramza family.

Steve Georas

We are deeply saddened by Al's passing. He was so kind and had a great sense of humor. We will forever be grateful for his hospitality and all of the laughs during the short time we lived in Rochester. Al was so fun to joke around with - our favorite memory is when Al and Chris visited us in Chicago and we took him to the shooting range. He was so nervous and we signed him up with a serious weapon and were definitely hyping up the whole event just to make him sweat, but in the end he looked like an action hero, hitting the targets and having a blast. We knew he could handle it and would have a great time. 
We loved the same comedians and joking about the most absurd things like randomly doing karate moves. Al always made you feel comfortable and like you have known him forever. He was a hard working guy who cared about everyone. He adored his wife, sons and grandsons, and of course, Ellie.  Our hearts go out to Chris, Kyle, Courtney, Ryan, KJ, Boomer and Ellie during this very difficult time.

Al was the kindest, most easy going person I have ever met. He was a joy to be around and could still kick my ass in golf in his declining Health. I true friend that will be sorely missed. Who will give Ellie those table scraps?  Tammy an I send our condolences to Chris, Ryan, Kyle and Ellie.  


Al was the best brother-in-law. He was loved and he will be missed.

Al was a very dear friend and a cherished mentor, a role he played well for many people throughout his life.  He was a kind and gentle soul, and I will him terribly. 

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. I’m so very sorry for your loss. 

OBITUARY

Adalbert "Al" L Gramza

1 August, 1959 – 25 August, 2021

Robert Toale & Sons Funeral Home at Manasota Memorial Park

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