Garry Robert Grabelle of Ocean Township, NJ passed away on February 27, 2021. Born in Newark, NJ in 1937, Garry grew up in Bradley Beach, NJ and then moved to Deal Park, NJ. Garry finally settled in nearby Wayside, NJ after marrying the love of his life, Jane, in 1965. Garry was a loving husband, devoted father to two sons and doting grandfather to four granddaughters. Garry was well known as a friendly, caring and kind person – a true gentleman.
Garry was an active, all-around type of guy. He played little league baseball as a kid, but turned his attention to tennis and golf later in life. He spent a lot of time on the links with his golf buddies, playing all of the best public courses in Monmouth County. In the 1960’s, Garry bowled for a men’s league team and scored a perfect game (300). He proudly wore the diamond ring he won to prove it. Garry was also a long-standing member of Congregation Torat El and participated in its Men’s Club.
Garry also was a big fan of music and the arts. As a teenager, Garry played the trumpet for the Asbury Park High School marching band. He shared his love of jazz music with his children, sometimes breaking out his trumpet to play for family and friends. Garry also was a talented artist and loved to doodle cartoon characters. More recently, Garry took acrylic painting lessons and became a prolific painter, mostly of landscapes and famous people. In fact, one of Garry’s paintings of Salvador Dali was featured on the cover of his community’s magazine last month.
Garry’s greatest passion was spending time with his four loving granddaughters. Garry attended many of their travel soccer games and dance recitals as they grew up. Garry’s second main passion was hanging out at the Breakwater Beach Club during the summertime. He enjoyed playing gin and other card games at the club and body surfing at the nearby wave beach. Nothing made Garry happier than enjoying the cool ocean breeze with his granddaughters by his side.
Garry was an avid sports fan and rooted for all of the New York teams, but mostly the Giants on Sunday afternoons. Garry also enjoyed watching professional golf and tennis and closely followed college sports. In particular, Garry was a big supporter of Duke basketball.
Garry graduated from Asbury Park High School in 1955. Garry then attended the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy (now the University of the Sciences). Garry then entered the family business with his father, Sol, and worked at Ace Pharmacy in Long Branch, NJ for nearly 40 years. During this time, Garry served a term as the President of the Monmouth County Pharmaceutical Association in the 1970’s. He also was a member of the Army Reserve in the 1960’s.
Garry is survived by his wife, Jane; his two sons, Jeff and Dean (and their spouses Sara and Lisa, respectively); four grandchildren, Alexa, Jordan, Jaycee and Sophie; a sister, Susan Brown; and two step brothers, David Gordon and Peter Gordon. Garry is predeceased by his brother Howard.
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