John Peter Grabosky, 69
passed away peacefully on Palm Sunday, March 29, 2015 at home in West Brookfield, MA. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Gay Grabosky (Uraneck) of West Brookfield, his brothers Thomas Grabosky of Zephyrhills, FL and Robert Grabosky of Foxboro, MA and his nephews Timothy, Michael Sevcik, and Nicholas, and his step-son, Truman Fort, his wife Anna and their three children Dylan, Roan, and Milo of West Newton, MA. He was the oldest son of the late John Thomas and Margherita Anna Grabosky, last residing in Braintree, MA.
John charmed many as a humorist, a cartoonist who captured the essence of friends, acquaintances, and any character he encountered, and as a writer having self-published two books of funny short stories, written several humorous and thought-provoking sermons for the year's Valentines Day services at Brookfield Unitarian Universalist Church, having been a member of two writers' groups for many years. He was a graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art where he was a fine art student, his elected major was graphic design. He became an expert craftsman with wood, designing and building furniture, restoring and reproducing antiques; he was a master with fine furniture finishing, including faux finishes. He started out designing and building craft-show booths and sets for television shows; he became an expert cabinet maker as well as designing, painting, and building customized interior features, e.g., a spiral staircase. He ended his working career as the 'Head Custodian' at the Merriam Gilbert Public Library in West Brookfield. He's always loved books and reading, and hoped to publish a pictorial book of Massachusetts' public libraries like the Merriam Gilbert. One of his last furniture projects was the designing, building, and finishing-to-match shelving for the library's DVDs.
He was passionate motorcyclist and an amateur yet brilliant mechanic. He could fix anything and he built and maintained his own computer. He had a powerful affinity with the canine world.
John was a sober alcoholic of 22.5 years in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). He sponsored many and co-led a group study on the 12 steps of AA.
Per his wishes he was cremated on Easter Monday, April 6, 2015. There will be a Celebration of Life Service on May 23 at 10:00 AM to be held at Brookfield Unitarian Universalist Church. For directions go to www.buuc.org.
In lieu of flowers, please send your gifts to his surviving wife Margaret Grabosky, 142 East Main Street, P.O. Box 693, West Brookfield, MA 01585-0693.