Mr. George Henry Grau "Papalac"

George Henry Grau, 85 of Leeds, Alabama beloved father and grandfather passed away peacefully at the Country Cottages Assisted Living in Hoover, Alabama on April 3, 2020. He was born in New York City to Heraclio Grau-Aponte and Ernesta Bonifacia Grau Ramirez. From the age of three, following the death of his father, George lived in Lares, Puerto Rico. He returned to New York City as a teenager where he resided before moving to Miami in 1971, and to Alabama in 2002.

He was predeceased by his wife, Liduvina Diaz, his parents Ernesta and Heraclio Grau, his brother Carlos Grau, and beloved grandsons, George Grau Jr. and Charles Jason Grau.

George worked as a barber in New York City and enjoyed running his own business. After relocating to Florida, he worked as an automobile inspector with the State, and later as a mechanic with Dade County Fleet Management Division, retiring after 21 years of service. He enjoyed reading, gardening, and spending time with family, and travelled often to visit family in his beloved Puerto Rico.

George’s passion for his heritage led him to community activism in the Lower East Side of Manhattan during the 1960’s. His barbershop provided a perfect venue to host meetings for an organization known as ASPIRA (which means aspire in Spanish) with the goal of empowering the Puerto Rican community by focusing on youth education and activities to develop leadership potential, self-esteem and pride in their cultural heritage.

George is survived by his four sons Charles Grau, Henry Grau, George and his wife Connie Grau of Hernando, Florida, and Dennis Grau of Jersey City; his two daughters Rose Anne Grau of Doral, Florida and Grace Grau and her husband, Gregg Denny of Leeds, Alabama; his grandchildren Angela, Anthony, Jennifer, Christopher, Henry Jr., Juan Carlos, Stephanie, Roberto, Jacqueline, Jonathan, Ryan and Blake; numerous great-grandchildren, and two nieces Linda Pilo and Donna Dixon.

In the words of his children

“I will remember dad for the way he sheltered and protected us and worked hard to provide for our

family.”

“He was an amazing dad to six kids, a hardworking man and great role model. He always had good

advice, even if it was not what I wanted to hear, I always knew in my heart it was best. He taught me

how to check the oil in my car, gave me a set of jumper cables at the age of seventeen, and taught me

the importance of having good credit, an education, and to be a good citizen. I am who I am today

because of the love, strength and perseverance I saw in my parents.”

"Dad taught us the value of perseverance, resiliency, to believe in the power of numbers, to have

dreams and to work hard to achieve them. He challenged us to surpass his achievements and never

forget our Puerto Rican roots. He taught us to be self-sufficient and not limit ourselves due to gender,

our ethnic identity or the norms of the day. He cautioned us to read everything before signing dotted

lines and to ask questions. He taught us to advocate for the oppressed and have a voice."

We loved our father; he was a good man and taught us a lot. We thank God for the gift of his life and the blessing of the time we spent with him. We will miss him.

Service

George will be laid to rest in unity with his late wife, Liduvina, at Dade South Memorial Park in Miami, Florida. A private graveside service will be officiated by Deacon Eduardo Panellas of Our Lady of Divine Providence Catholic Church honoring George on Friday, April 10, 2020 at 10:00 am EST (9 am Alabama time).

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the members of the Country Cottages Assisted Living Facility in Hoover, Alabama for their dedication and effort to provide an environment that preserved our father’s dignity, integrity and independence over the last four years. George spoke affectionately of the team and residents, who he considered an extension of his family. You were a heartwarming blessing to him and the entire family.

Heartfelt thanks to the Dignity Memorial Staff

Andrew Russell, Kilgroe Funeral Home, Leeds, AL

Islaine Bello, Caballero Rivero Dade South, Miami, FL

Bolivia Gonzalez & Claudia Centeno Bermudez, Caballero Funeral Home, Miami, FL