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George I. Gruic, 84, a life resident of Akron, passed away Thursday, June 22, 2006, after a brief illness.
He was born Feb. 12, 1922, to Isaac and Theresa (Fagan) Gruic in Akron. He was employed for over 50 years by Cardinal Rubber. He was a member of Immaculate Conception of Mary Catholic Church and was a life member of the VFW Post 3383. He was an avid golfer, hunter, fisherman, and camper.
George was proud to be a veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne, Company H, 508th Parachute Infantry. He had three combat jumps, the Battle of the Bulge in Normandy, Italy, and Holland, and was a recipient of the Purple Heart.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Gertrude, in 1997; daughters, Tanna Marie Gruic and Rebecca Kring; brothers, Milan, Nick (Ethel), and Simon (Loretta); and sister, Zora (Frank) Schlicter, and is survived by his daughter, Deborah of Akron; sons, Gregory of Curtice, Ohio, and Mark (Cherylyn) of Norton; sister, Helen Rusyn of Copley and Katherine; grandchildren, Richard (Nikki) Kring, Larry Kring, Tanna (Tyson) Ellert, Gregory Gruic Jr., and Vanessa and Rachel Gruic; many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Michael B. Smith officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
[FAkron Beacon Journal on June 23, 2006] |
[courtesy of Kiley Mann]
Grave marker for George and Gertrude Gruic in Section 22, Lot 321, Grave A, Holy Cross Cemetery,
Akron (Summit county), Ohio.
George enlisted in the
Army at Akron, OH on 23 November 1942.
On 15 July 1943, George
Gruic and Gertrude Fagan, both from Ohio, were married by Chaplin,
Father Ignatius Maternowski in the chapel on Camp Mackall, NC
Pfc Gruic was initially
listed as missing in action as of 6 June 1944 but his status was
corrected to being wounded in action and hospitalized at an unknown
site. He rejoined the company on 5 December 1944. He was
again hospitalized on 24 December 1944.as a non-battle casualty, perhaps
due to frostbite.
On 24 March 1945, he was
transferred to the hospital's detachment of patients and did not return
to the regiment. |
