John J. Grosz

03/13/2003

John J. Grosz, a longtime area educator who served as principal of the former Adams Memorial High School, died yesterday morning at Berkshire Medical Center following a chronic illness. He was 92. Mr. Grosz, who lived at 11 Marshall Ave., also served as director of admissions for the former North Adams State College. Upon leaving the Adams schools for the college position, he was lauded by then-Superintendent of Schools Rolland G. Duval for having a "profound and significant influence on thousands of students'' during 31 years as a teacher and principal in Adams. Born in Adams on March 23, 1910, son of John J. Grosz Sr. and Theresia Zehr Grosz, he was a 1927 graduate of the former Adams Memorial High School, where he excelled in sports. He earned a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering in 1934 from Northeastern University and a master's degree in education in 1939 from Columbia University. After his naval service, he continued his education at the University of Massachusetts and the former North Adams State College, now Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. He attended Officers Training School during the outbreak of World War II, served at Columbia University, and subsequently instructed Navy personnel in navigation. He later became a division officer in the transportation section and was discharged as a lieutenant commander. He was a math and science teacher in the former Adams school system until serving as principal of the former high school from 1951 to 1966, when he accepted a position as director of admissions at the North Adams State. He retired in 1972. Mr. Grosz was a member of the Adams Teachers Association, Berkshire County Teachers and Principals Association, the NEA, MTA, National Association of Secondary School Principals, and was chairman of the Standing Committee on Athletics. He was president of the Massachusetts Secondary School Principals Association from 1965-66, and also served on its executive committee, its education policy committee, and its professional standards committee. He also was an incorporator of South Adams Savings Bank for 24 years, the permanent president of the Adams Class of 1927, and a member of the board of trustees of Berkshire Medical Center. He was a member of the Adams Post 160 American Legion, Adams Lodge at 1335 Elks, treasurer of St. Vincent de Paul Society, and a member of the Adams Council 230 Knights of Columbus and the Adams Lions Club. An avid sportsman, he had been a player for the Boston Braves semi-pro baseball farm team, where he was a catcher. His wife, the former Winifred M. Lennon, whom he married Aug. 20, 1941, died April 11, 1990. He leaves a daughter, Patricia G. Korzendorfer of Adams, and two grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated for John J. Grosz on Monday, March 17, at 1:30 in St. Thomas Aquinas Church, where he was a devoted parishioner. Burial will follow in Bellevue Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday from 4 to 7 at the MCBRIDE FUNERAL HOME, 6 Liberty St., Adams, which is in charge of arrangements. The family suggests memorials to the John J. Grosz Scholarship Fund at Hoosac Valley High School, c/o the Scholarship Committee or through the funeral home.

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