Emmett A. Gruici

Former Phoenixville resident Emmett A. Gruici passed away on February 19, 2021 in West Chester. He was 96. The son of Avram and Elsie Gruici, Emmett was born in Philadelphia on December 20, 1924.

After graduating from Frankford High School, Emmett began working for the Pennsylvania Railroad. During World War II, he served first in the Coast Guard Reserves, then in the U.S. Army and Army Air Force.

On April 23, 1949, in Philadelphia, he married Anna Piotrowski, the sister of his best friend. Early in their marriage they settled in Phoenixville, PA. After the war, Emmett returned to employment at the PRR and continued through a number of mergers. By the time of his retirement in 1987, he was a Senior Consultant in Risk Management for Conrail.

Over his long life, the community benefitted from Emmett’s service to the PTA, the Human Relations Council, the Phoenixville Planning Commission, the Council of Churches, Kiwanis, and Freedoms Foundation. Following the Vietnam war, Emmett became a peace activist, professing that the pursuit of peace is not only desirable but patriotic.

Emmett is survived by his son Ronald, his daughter Sandra Veilleux, his caregiver-niece Eileen Hripto, four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Anna, his daughter Nancy, and his siblings Violet Newton, Eleanor Kotjan and Elmer Gruici.

Details of the interment of ashes at St John’s Lutheran Church Phoenixville, and virtual gathering to be announced.