JERALD ALAN GROCHOWSKI

Jerald Alan Grochowski passed away near Lake Wynoochee, in Washington’s Olympic National Forest, on Oct. 30, 2023. He was 46 years old.

An Alpena native, Jerry was born on Oct. 19, 1977, to Gary and Patricia Grochowski. After Gary’s untimely passing, he was raised by Richard and Patricia Grochowski.

From an early age, Jerry exemplified bold intellectual promise. Both diligent and kind, in 1987 he won an essay contest that led to meeting Governor Blanchard. The next year as a fifth grader, Jerry won the St. Anne’s spelling bee against sixth, seventh, and eighth graders — which required outlasting his older brother Bryan, the only other contestant remaining — with the word “fuchsia.” The story ran in The Alpena News, then again five and ten years later, sealing its place as cherished family lore.

In 1995, Jerry graduated from Alpena High School and began college locally, where Professor Herb Gamage awarded him the ACC Math Award in 1996. With the tenacity of a true lifelong learner, Jerry was known for tackling complex subjects well into adulthood. He brought his passion for open source software to Western Michigan University, where he graduated with a degree in computer science.

The call to serve his country inspired Jerry to interrupt his early studies at ACC, and in 1996, he joined the U.S. Army. He was assigned to the 36th Signal Battalion in Daegu, South Korea, and while in service until 2000, he earned The Army Achievement Medal and The Army Good Conduct Medal.

Jerry’s inclination to quietly serve others followed him home and showed itself in many meaningful ways over the years. He started a family blog that was a connection point for his parents and siblings, as they began college, careers, and families of their own. He wrote funny songs for his young nieces and nephews. After every big holiday meal, Jerry could be found washing the dishes so that others could linger at the table. He was a world-class listener who had a way of briefly, but deeply, connecting with others.

Nature provided Jerry courage and solace during his extended struggle with mental illness. He took to walking long distances, often hiking the stretch of the North Eastern State Trail linking downtown Alpena to his family’s cedar-rich acreage. Psalm 1 also lent comfort and guidance during difficult times: “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on the law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season.”

The fruit of Jerry’s life lives on in the love of learning he inspired in others, along with his legacy of service to family and country. Both his immediate and extended family are heartbroken by their loss. He will be missed beyond measure by his mother, Patty Grochowski; siblings Bryan (Kelly) Grochowski, Nicole (Tom) Waligora, Jennifer Grochowski, and Joseph (Natalie) Grochowski; as well as his nieces and nephews: Frederick, Cecelia, Alex, James, Rivka, Linus, and Eliza, and grandmother Virginia Seguin. Jerry is preceded in death by Gary Grochowski, Richard Grochowski, niece Esabella Magdaleno, aunt Janice Konarzewski, and grandparents Wilfred Seguin, Anthony and Thelma Grochowski.

A visitation for Jerry will be held at McWilliams Funeral Home in Alpena on Sunday, Dec. 3, from 2-4 p.m. Deacon Mike Roy will lead a prayer service at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency Street Outreach Program (https://www.nemcsa.org/get-involved/donate.html). The family additionally encourages anyone struggling with mental illness to seek immediate free support through SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) or the Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988, press 1).

Above all, they send their lifelong love and gratitude to Jerry, for everything he gave.