SALEM - Walter S. Groszyk, age 95, devoted husband of the late Florence E. (Collins) Groszyk, of Salem, died Thursday, January 11, 2007 at the Grosvenor Park Nursing Home, Salem, following a long illness.
Born in Peabody, he was the son of the late Stanley & Catherine (Kulczyk) Groszyk. He was a graduate of Salem High School and attended John Kanty College in Erie, PA, St. John Seminary in Brighton and did post graduate work at Pennsylvania State University and the University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Groszyk was employed for nearly 30 years as a regional or national sales manager for food related corporations. In 1967 he was appointed to the City of Salem Board of Assessors, later became chairman and served as Chief Assessor until retiring in 1981.
He enjoyed a variety of sports. He played baseball and basketball in high school, and went on to play professional baseball at the triple A level. He was an active member of the Salem Chapter of the AARP.
Mr Groszyk is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Walter S. Groszyk, Jr. of Washington, DC, Robert and Melinda Groszyk of Salem, one daughter and son-in-law, Paula & Paul Field of Salem, 5 grandchildren, Barry & his wife Heidi Field of Boca Raton, FL, Daniel & his wife Kara Field of Westwood, Katherine Field of New York City, NY, Erik Groszyk and Keilani Groszyk, both of Salem, 3 great grandchildren, one sister, Bernice Markey of Peabody and several nieces and nephews. He was the brother-in-law of the late Francis X. Collins, former Mayor of Salem, Catherine M. Green, Eleanor Giblin, Angela M. Lyons, James N. Collins, John B. Collins, and John F. Markey.
His funeral service will be held Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007 at 9 am from the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, by Salem Common, Salem, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 am at the St. John The Baptist Church, Salem. Visiting hours are Monday, 3 to 7 pm. Relatives and friends respectfully invited. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Hospice of The North Shore, 10 Elm St., Danvers, MA 01923. For on-line guest book and directions, visit www.SalemFuneral.com.