Obituary of Eugene C. Groelle

Eugene C. Groelle of New Paltz died Sunday, February 21st, at the Woodland Ponds Health Center following a long battle with heart disease. Gene is survived by his daughter Cindy (Dino) Sumerano of Hurley, his brother Harlan (Jackie) of Grayslake, Il and several nieces and nephews. He was a doting ‘Pop’ to his beloved grandchildren, Daniela Sumerano, Lia Rutski (Thomas), Alissa Sumerano (Justin Heavner), Daniel Murray and Christopher Groelle. He was predeceased by his parents, wife Athena (Snyder), son Rodney and brothers Milton, Lloyd and Edgar. Eugene was born at home on the farm on February 13, 1933 to Delvin and Linda Genz Groelle. Raised on the family dairy farm in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, he left home at 18 to join the US Coast Guard. He served three years of active duty, 1951-1954, aboard USCG Cutters Mackinac (NYC), Lansing (Honolulu), and Nettle (Philippines). He was honorably discharged as an Electronics Technician 2nd class. Eugene attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering. He was hired by IBM and worked as a technician and engineer in various locations across the country, eventually settling in the Kingston plant. He retired in 1987 as an advisory engineer. Upon his retirement from IBM Gene continued employment for 11 years as a service tech rep for several different companies until his final retirement in 1998 at age 65. Gene was an active member of PCa101, the prostate cancer support group, from 1996 until 2020 and was passionate about understanding the intricacies of treatment and helping those who were newly diagnosed to navigate their new and often overwhelming circumstances. Gene was a staunch believer in a lifetime of learning and found great satisfaction in exploring the humanities through several local colleges, and particularly with the Clemente Course of study at Bard College. He was an avid reader and loved discussing ideas and passing his knowledge on to his grandchildren. He was also a passionate traveler who equally enjoyed a fine meal in Paris, exploring the cities of India and China, safariing in Africa and sailing on tall ships along the east coast of the United States. But the greatest joy of his mature years was his grandchildren, all of whom he was enormously proud of and with whom he shared his passion for life and the world. Prior to moving to Woodland Ponds, Gene was a longtime resident of Hurley. He was a Life Member of the Hurley Fire Company as well as a member of the Hurley Reformed Church. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4:00 – 6:00 pm at the Henry J. Bruck Funeral Home, 261 Broadway, Kingston, NY. Eugene’s funeral service will be conducted at 6:00 pm by Reverend William Appleyard-Pekich, Pastor of the Hurley Reformed Church and Reverend Charles E. Stickley, Pastor Emeritus of the Hurley Reformed Church. Burial will take place in the Hurley Cemetery at the convenience of the family. In the interest of public safety and in keeping with COVID-19 guidelines, social distancing and masks are required at all times and guests may be limited in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers Gene requested that donations be made to PCa101. (Prostate Cancer 101, 8 Alcazar Avenue, Kingston NY 12401)