Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd, Fitchburg, MA 01420 is handling the private arrangements. A Celebration of Life will be held when safe to do so.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in his memory to NEADY Cats, 215 Worcester Rd, Sterling, MA 01564, United Leukodystrophy Foundation, 224 North Second Street, Suite 2, DeKalb, IL 60115 or
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD ) – Paget’s Disease Donations, Dept. 5930, PO Box 4110, Woburn, MA 01888.
John Tobias Gronroos of Westminster, MA, aged 73, passed away January 16 at Heywood Hospital, Gardner, MA due to Covid. He was the only child of Johannes Rudolph “Joe” and Irja Mirriam (Rinta) Gronroos. Born in Fitchburg, MA January 27, 1947.
He worked at General Electric for 15 years ending his career as an inspector with the Navy division. When the plant closed in Fitchburg he took positions with Astron, and Gould and Eberhard. He secured a position as the Cemetery Superintendent of Westminster for 15 years, following his father’s footsteps, who was a cemetery commissioner in the 1970s.
As a young man he was a member of the Gardner Chapter of DeMolay where love of parents, friendship, courtesy and patriotism are paramount. He was also a member and former Deacon of the First Congregational Church of Westminster.
He was a past member of the Westminster, Townsend, and Eight Point Sportsmen’s Clubs, the National Rifle Association of America, Massachusetts Amateur Trap Shooting Association, and Member of the International Union of Electronic Workers Local 286. As a young man, he loved training and participating in triathlons. He was an eager participant of the Brothers of the Brush and enjoyed the competitive activities, especially with the Brothers of Princeton.
Additionally, John loved astronomy, gardening, fishing (bass, deep sea, and ice) and most importantly his cats and dogs.
He received his education from Oakmont Regional H.S., Wachusett Community College and Colorado State University.
He is survived by his Aunt Lillian Rinta of West Wareham, two second cousins Paul Rinta, Jr of Costa Rica, Andrew Rinta of West Wareham, MA, step daughter Aimee St. Jean of Fitchburg, MA, and longtime friend and companion Candi Crane Hitchcock of Westminster, MA as well as other cousins in the Fitchburg/Gardner area. He was predeceased by his cousin Paul Rinta, Sr. of West Wareham and former wife Paulette Thomas.