Larry Grose

Larry Bruce Grose, 75, a Marine Veteran of Streamwood, passed away Sunday, October 9, 2022 at his residece with his family by his side.

As a child growing up in Des Plaines, IL, our Dad, Larry Grose, formed lifelong friendships with several boys. Collectively known as “The Counts” and individually known by nicknames unsuitable for print, Byron Roebke, Bob Giles, Bob Washburn, Bill Meador, Larry Attore, and dad ran the neighborhood, breaking curfew (and more than a few laws), smoking before they were teens, racing cars, using profanity as their common language, and dating all the pretty girls (just look at our mom). Now in their 70s, they’ve retired some of their bad habits, but some are still on display today, when “The Counts” get together for their monthly poker game. To this day, these “boys” are the best of friends. From Dad to the guys: thanks for the memories and GFY!

At a time when others were being drafted into the military, Dad chose to enlist in the Marine Corps at the age of 17, while a senior in high school. Sworn in on December 31, 1965, he completed basic training at Camp Pendleton, and went on to serve as Lance Corporal in Vietnam. After six months of serving his country, he was called home on a Hardship Discharge when his father was injured in a fall, just three weeks short of being promoted to sergeant. Dad was very honored to serve in Vietnam and would have stayed as long as his country needed him.

Dad was passionately patriotic, loved his country and the flag, proudly displaying it, and Marine Corps insignia inside and outside of his home. Filled with books, pictures, and memorabilia, dad’s room was a place he most enjoyed, surrounded by these things that he loved so much.

One of Dad’s most special memories was a trip with fellow heroes to Washington, DC through Honor Flight Chicago. Throughout his trip, he was able to connect with fellow veterans and share an experience that they said was life changing. These heroes received cheers, accolades, handshakes, and very long overdue shouts of, “Welcome Home!” from thousands of people in recognition of their service to their country.

Dad and Mom were high school sweethearts, having met as freshmen when Dad was caught looking up her skirt in the Maine West stairwell. They dated on and off through their high school years and married on July 3, 1968, following Dad’s service in Vietnam. Settling eventually in Park Ridge, they raised Stacey, Brett, and Krista, Dad’s “A, B, C, 1, 2, 3, Red, White, and Blue”. Through more than 54 years of marriage, they remained the love of each other’s lives. Dad adored Mom and, through the years, found many opportunities to tell us that he loved her. He called Mom “Petra Anne”, while Mom affectionately called Dad “Grose” or, occasionally, “two-shirt, short-pants, skinny-legged man”.

Dad’s most cherished role was that of Grandpa to his seven grandchildren. He was so proud of their character, kindness, wit, wisdom, and relationships with one another. Some of Dad’s favorite memories include taking the kids to “Grandpa’s Park”, annual trips to the pumpkin patch (allowing them to get as many pumpkins as they could pull in a wagon), building forts out of couch cushions, going fishing, watching Bigfoot documentaries, late-night mini-golfing trips, McDonald’s breakfasts after sleepovers, watching the night sky for shooting stars, attending softball games, drum recitals, plays, parades, holiday sings, and Veteran’s Day events at schools. More than anything, Dad valued both their long conversations and their quiet moments together and, best of all, hearing their laughter in his home. Their laughter was his joy.

Beloved husband of Petra (nee Poulos); loving father of Stacey (Raymond) Bartkowski, Brett Grose, and Krista (Thomas) Bean; cherished grandfather of Taylor (Philip) Lindsay, Camryn (Zackary) Saboya, Tyler (fiancee Natalie Balducci) and Tabitha Grose, and Nicholas, Riley, and Anna Bean; proud great grandfather of Maverick and Braxton; dear brother of Robert Grose and Cheryl (David) Stokes; fond uncle of many nieces and nephews. Dad will be missed by Kirby, Murphy, and Teddy Bear, who were always by his side, waiting for leftovers.

A celebration of Dad’s life will take place Wednesday, October 19, in the barn at Hoosier Grove Barn, 700 W. Irving Park Road, Streamwood, IL from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. A Marine Corps presentation will take place at 5:30 pm. As Dad was a “no frills” man who dressed in jeans and flannel shirts, we invite you to come as you are. Cremation private at Countryside Crematory. In lieu of flowers memorials to Disabled American Veterans at www.DAV.org or Honor Flight Chicago at www.honorflightchicago.org Info (630)289-7575