Ewald F. Groetsch, Sr., age 95, passed away peacefully at the home of his daughter on January 7, 2021. He was surrounded by his family. His passing followed a long battle with Alzheimer’s and more recently, COVID-19.
After retiring from his family business, Groetsch Wholesale Grocers, in 1986, Ewald engaged in a successful real estate career where he bought, sold, and leased residential homes. He then retired from this second profession at the age of 85.
His achievements in his family and real estate businesses were paralleled by many athletic accomplishments. During his teenage years, Ewald was a star bowler and champion Golden Gloves boxer. His name was known throughout the New Orleans boxing circles of the 1940s, particularly in the Irish Channel. Until the age of 88, Ewald was an avid poker and tennis player. In 2018, he was honored at the Louisiana Senior Olympics banquet for winning over 100 gold medals in their annual tennis competitions.
His family and close friends will always remember Ewald as a fierce competitor who carefully calculated odds in both sports and business ventures. His primary joy in winning was sharing his success with his children. He deeply loved his family and did all he could do to make them comfortable and secure. Following the death of his wife Johnteen in 2003 and the devastation brought on by Hurricane Katrina, Ewald shared the homes and remaining years of his life with each of his children.
Ewald leaves behind five children: Ewald, Jr. (Patsy), Michael (Barbara), Barry (Nancy), Brenda, and Jeanne Jarrett (Mark). He also leaves behind nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter. He is survived by his brother, George J. Groetsch, and two sisters, Gail Compagno and Sister Sharon Groetsch, DC. He was predeceased by his father, George W. Groetsch, Sr., his mother, Elsie Brechtel Groetsch, and siblings Rose Mae, Gilbert, and Charles, Sr.
The family extends gratitude to all the professionals who cared for him during the last chapter of his life.
Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral service on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd. Metairie, LA. Visitation will be held from 12 p.m.-2 p.m. with a Mass to begin at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in New Orleans.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Louisiana Alzheimer’s Association.
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