Grotheer, Allan John

Allan John Grotheer, 80, of Lempster, NH, and Cromwell, CT, beloved husband of Barbara for 56 years, passed on to his next great adventure on December 9, 2022, at Middlesex Hospital.

The son of Alfred and Solveig (Fossum) Grotheer, he was born in Mineola, New York. A graduate of Conard High School, he received his degree in Business from UConn in 1964. An ROTC graduate, he immediately entered the Army. He spent time in both Korea and Vietnam, where he served with the 11th Armored Cavalry. Returning to Connecticut, Al began a career as a manufacturers representative for a metal-working company and later started his own business as a metal-working broker. He was active as a long-time board member of the Cromwell Hills Condominium Association and served on the Cromwell Planning Commission and the Cromwell Zoning Board of Appeals.

Al loved good food, good drink, and good conversation. A lifelong learner, his insatiable curiosity led him to personal research and to attend numerous academic classes and lectures. He had the ability to carry on comfortable and informed conversations on a wide variety of subjects with a wide variety of people. His wit, wisdom, and sense of humor contributed to some legendary discussions. After retirement, he became a Bowenwork practitioner to assist in healing people. He was an intelligent, kind, generous, and thoughtful man. He cared deeply about his family and treasured time with his grandchildren.

He and Barbara enjoyed traveling and found their journeys to Italy, France, Tahiti, Australia and New Zealand particularly memorable. His most ambitious journey was a 600-mile trek on the Appalachian Trail at age 60. His favorite place on earth was at home on the lake in New Hampshire where he could swim, sailboard, relax, and enjoy time with family and friends in summer and winter.

In addition to his wife, Al is survived by his son Colin and his wife Nicole of Norwalk, CT, grandchildren Hannah and Aaron Grotheer, nephew Mark Gialanella and brother-in-law Mario Gialanella of Suwanee, GA. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Nancy, and his sister-in-law Kathy Gialanella.

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