Irvin Lawrence Grossman

IRVIN LAWRENCE GROSSMAN, age 89, born June 12, 1928 and passed away Sept. 14, 2017. Beloved husband of Penny (nee Horn); devoted father of Gregg, Jill (Michael) Zeefe and Bob (Lisa); Loving grandfather “Papa Irv” of Kimberly, Lindsay, Ashley, Tarah, Taylor, Brett and Bryce and 7 great grandchildren. Irv was born in Cleveland to William and Ida Grossman. In 1917, Irv’s father William opened a grocery store on East 17th street. Irv worked side by side with his father in the store once he became an adolescent. Together they built a business that flourished and lasted through a depression, a fire, tornados, blizzards, downtown decay and revitalization. It remained a family business for 97 years, alongside Irv's eldest son, Gregg. Irv was not only a grocer and family man, he was also civically active. In the 1960’s, he organized the “Help Make Cleveland Beautiful Committee.” He bought flowers and large planters and placed them on Saint Clair Ave., from E. 17th to E. 75th St. His beautification project had two purposes; one, to make Cleveland beautiful, and the other, to honor the Clevelanders killed in Vietnam. Among the flowers, he featured an American flag and a plaque honoring a deceased service man. On Memorial Day in 1969, Irv had over 100 planters honoring Vietnam heroes. Irv’s downtown beautification project earned him a thank you note from the White House. Lady Bird Johnson personally expressed her gratitude for Irv’s efforts. Irv was Vice President of the Jaycees. In 1967, wearing a Halloween costume, he flew in a helicopter to Jaycee sponsored Halloween Parties and handed out candy to under privileged children. Irv was chairman of many civic committees, an award winning gardener, and President of the Rockefeller Greenhouse. He served his country in the National Guard during the Korean War. Irv loved spending time in Florida where his daughter and 4 grandchildren reside. His hobbies included gardening, dining with his family and traveling with his beloved wife, Penny. Irv’s life was a life well lived. He will be missed by all who knew him. The family wishes to acknowledge the helpful and caring staff of Hospice of the Western Reserve. Funeral services will be held at BERKOWITZ-KUMIN-BOOKATZ MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 1985 S. TAYLOR RD., CLEVELAND HTS. on Sunday, September 17 at 12 noon. Interment Mt. Olive Cemetery. The family will receive friends SUNDAY FOLLOWING BURIAL UNTIL 8 PM AND MONDAY FROM 6:00 TO 8:00 PM at the residence of Bob & Lisa Grossman, 17341 Red Fox Trl, Chagrin Falls. Contributions are suggested to the Parkinson’s Foundation (www.parkinson.org) or the The Kidney Foundation of Ohio (www.kfohio.org) To view this service at 12 noon Sunday please navigate to www.bitly.com/largechapel