Oliver A. Grenier Jr., age 67, a longtime resident of Wilmington passed away at the Wilmington Healthcare Center on February 5th following a lengthy and courageous battle with Pick's Disease, a rare form of dementia, which he was diagnosed with in 2005. He was the beloved husband of Cindi (Ayer) Grenier and together they shared 26 years of marriage. Born in Lowell he was the son of Rita (LaMarche) of Downingtown, PA and the late Oliver A. Grenier Sr.
"Al" as he was affectionately known, was raised and educated in Lowell where he attended the St. Louis de France School and St. Joseph High School. Al was a proud United States Marine Corp Veteran of the Vietnam War. He honorably served for 4 years attaining the rank of Corporal before completing his active duty and transfering to the reserves. For many years Al was an active member of the Wilmington Marine Corps League. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus in Danvers for several years.
For more than 14 years prior to his illness Al worked as a diesel engine mechanic for the Ryder Truck Co. in Peabody. He was very talented with his hands and enjoyed fixing all kinds of things. He enjoyed working on cars, doing carpentry work, he was an avid sports fan and over the years enjoyed camping and hiking. Al always had a smile on his face and loved to joke around with his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.
In addition to his wife and mother he is survived by his children, John Grenier and his wife Kim of Marlborough, Megan Grenier and her soul mate Maxwell Stubblefield of Coos - Bay, OR. He was the loving grandfather of Nicholas G. Grenier, Amber Bagley and John Grenier Jr. all of Marlborough. He is also survived by his sisters, Therese J. McMahon-Fagan and her husband Robert P. Fagan of Downingtown, PA, and Lea Gauthier-Beaupre of Dracut and is further survived by 19 nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be conducted in the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 374 Main St., Wilmington, on Thursday, February 10th, at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours at the Dello Russo Funeral Home will be held on Wednesday from 4 thru 8PM. Interment services will be private. As an expression of sympathy memorial contributions may be made in Al's memory to the Alzheimer's Association, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02172.