Daniel W. "Poopski" Grabowski

Daniel W. Grabowski, 78, a lifelong resident of North East, passed away on February 23, 2008 at home, with his family, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. He was born July 22, 1929 in Greenfield Twp. The son of the late John and Isabelle Kowalski Grabowski.

He attended Tyro Hall one-room school and graduated in 1947 from North East High School, where he was on the football and basketball teams.

Dan worked at Erie G.E. before enlisting in the Army in 1950. He served with the 40th Infantry Division in Korea attaining the rank of Sgt. 1st Class. He finished his enlistment as rifle instructor at Aberdeen Proving Grounds.

Upon discharge he worked at Ken Youngs Fruit Farm in North East for 15 years. During this time he met and married his wife, Maxine McMillan, May 18, 1956 at the Presbyterian Church in Wattsburg, PA. He later worked as supervisors at Ridg-U-Rak and Agway Crop Center in North East. He retired as manager of North East Fruit Growers in 1991. He continued to work there part time until his recent illness forced him to "retire" again. He always said his job at Fruit Growers was the best job he ever had. Dan felt great pride in the company and the interests of the company and the farmers always came first with him. He had been involved in some aspect of farming his entire life and worked hard to care for his family.

He had been Scout Master for Troop 57, North East and also served as Round Table Commissioner, Washington Trail Council, LeBeouf District. Dan enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling and especially the game of golf. He and Maxine enjoyed playing in the mixed leagues for several years. Dan knew all the best back country roads in Erie, Crawford and Warren Counties. He and Maxine especially enjoyed their fall "foliage" rides and there will be lasting memories of those long Sunday drives. They had taken a month long car trip to California in 2003 for their son's wedding and had hoped to do that trip again, but sadly, it wasn't meant to be. There were also many enjoyable vacations visiting family in NH and FL.

Dan was a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather, a truly kind and decent man. He will be remembered by all who loved him for his honesty and integrity. Besides his parents he was preceded by his brother John Grabowski and his wife Helen. He is survived by and will be sorely missed by his wife Maxine, daughter Kelley D. Grabowski, North East, son James Grabowski and his wife Rhonda, San Diego, beloved grandchildren Brandon S. Grabowski, North East, with whom he shared a special bond, and Jamie Michelle Grabowski, San Diego, sisters, Frances Page and her husband Bert, and Annette Beardsley and her husband Bill, all of North East, sister-in-law, Marilyn Rutkowski and her husband Hank of Florida and several nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received at the W. Tad Bowers Funeral Home, 92 S. Lake St., North East, PA on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M. and are invited to attend funeral services there on Thursday at 11 A. M. with Rev. Dr. Gregg D. Townsend officiating. Private burial at the convenience of the family will be in North East Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Community Nursing Services of North East Hospice, 7 Park St., North East, PA 16428, The American Cancer Society, 2115 W. 38th St., Erie, PA 16508-1925 or the John Kanzius Research Fund, Palace Business Centre, 915 State St., Erie, PA 16501.

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