I wanted to write to let everyone know that we lost a Past President, Joe Grondin. Joe has been a member of our club for 60 years. He and his brother Babe were great Rotarians in every sense of the word. They were responsible for a lot of great projects both locally and internationally.
Now as I find my self an "old guy", these "old guys" were my inspiration back in the nineties. God grant them the peace they so deserve.
Regards,
Joe Moresehead
SACO - Joseph "Buster" Grondin, 91, of Saco and formerly of Biddeford, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, early Saturday morning Dec. 22, 2018.
He was born in Biddeford on June 22, 1927, the son of Oscar and Corona Bergeron Grondin. He graduated from St. Louis High School in Biddeford, in 1944 and then joined the U.S. Navy and became a radioman gunner.
When he returned from the Navy, Joe worked in his father's plumbing business, Oscar J. Grondin & Sons. With his father's encouragement, he converted an old Navy Surplus van into the "Copper Cart," a copper-colored truck filled with plumbing and heating supplies. Using a phone book as his guide, he called on potential customers, took orders, went to Boston to purchase what was ordered and he delivered items the next week. Over time, Grondin Supply Company was born and, at various times, Joe's brothers all joined in this mission. His guiding principle was superior personal service.
After retiring from Grondin Supply in 1985, he formed Grondin Associates, Inc. offering his services as a consultant. He then became an insurance agent in order to help others, offering life insurance, annuities and health insurance. In the last 20 years, Joe's concern about the high cost of prescription drugs led him to develop a program to help low-income people get help to pay for these medications.
The thread of service to others, of service above self, ran throughout his entire life. He also served on the St. Joseph and St. Louis High School Boards as well as the Diocesan School Board. He joined the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club in 1958 and became its youngest Club President in 1964. He served as Rotary District Treasurer from 1968 to 1971. Joe was also named a Paul Harris Fellow.
Mr. Grondin was a man of great faith in God and was a parishioner of Most Holy Trinity Church. He was always active in the life of the parish and eager to talk with others about his faith and beliefs. He served on several parish councils and as a lector and Eucharistic Minister. Most recently, he worked with Sister Theresa Couture to help immigrants in the area.
He was predeceased by his wife Ruth (Morin) Grondin on June 14, 2017, one son, Joseph Martin Grondin, and by five siblings, Sister Rita Grondin, Conrad "Babe" Grondin, Theresa Bouthot, Normand Grondin and Robert Grondin.
He is survived by three children, Patricia D. Grondin of Biddeford, Kathleen G. St. James of Saco and William J. Grondin and his wife Brenda of Durham; three grandchildren Tiffany Downing, Derek Downing and Aimee St. James; one sister Precille Beebe of Biddeford; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, Joe has requested that donations be made to Sr. Theresa Couture, 409 Pool St., Biddeford, ME. 04005
Visiting Hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, 87 James St., Saco. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 28, 2018, at Most Holy Trinity Church in Saco. Joseph will be buried next to his wife, Ruth, in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Biddeford.
To view Joseph's memorial page or leave an online condolence, please visit www.cotefuneralhome.com
Published in Journal Tribune on Dec. 27, 2018
