Alfred William Grella's Obituary
Alfred William Grella, 85, of Locust Grove, VA, died peacefully at home on Wednesday July 22, 2015, and is now rejoicing in Heaven with our Savior Jesus Christ.
Born April 29, 1930, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Al, or ‘Babe’ as he was called by his siblings, was the youngest son of Joseph and Julia Grella.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife of almost 52 years, Delores Squeo Grella, and his five siblings: Edward, Joseph, Louise, Albert and Ralph, and is survived by his sister Theresa Morris of Fairfield, Connecticut, and sister in law Marian Grella of Thousand Oaks, California.
Al is survived by his loving wife of 9 years, Peggy; a daughter Susan Jaenke (Dale), a son Thomas (Elaine), a son Bill, a son Chris (Angie), a son David Bowen (Jackie), a daughter Joy Montgomery (Scott), several grandchildren: Elaine Benner (Matthew), Keith August Jaenke, Rebekah Grella, Nathan Grella, Joshua Grella, Jenifer Poe (Nathan), Bowen Montgomery, and great-grandchildren Bennett Poe and Jackson Poe.
He graduated in 1952 from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Chemistry.
He was a proud member of the U.S. Air Force serving as a 2nd Lieutenant during the Korean War, and was also an avid lover of airplanes throughout his life.
A certified Health Physicist, Al was elected as a Fellow of the Health Physics Society in 1990. Working 27 years for the U.S. Government, he was considered by many to be an international expert on nuclear transportation matters. He was qualified as an instructor in regulations related to nuclear and hazardous materials transportation and disposal, and for 12 years was the senior Transportation Specialist of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. He authored over 35 published papers in his areas of expertise.
He was a member of Lake of the Woods Church for 34 years, where he served in various leadership positions. He was also an active member of the Lake of the Woods Lions Club.
A celebration of Al’s life will be held Monday, July 27, 2015 at 2 pm at Lake of the Woods Church in Locust Grove, Va. Pastor Thomas K. Schafer will lead the celebration.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be given to the Lake of the Woods Church Missions and Benevolence Committee (1 Church Lane, Locust Grove, VA 22508).
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is serving the family.
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