North Brookfield / Sturbridge: Peter J. Grudzien, 85, formerly a longtime resident of Sturbridge, passed away on Friday, Sept. 19th, in the UMass Memorial Health – Harrington, Southbridge, after a long illness.

He leaves his wife of 66 years, Willa A. (Power) Grudzien; his son, Bill Grudzien and his wife Denise of Sturbridge; his two daughters, Wendy Caron and her husband Christopher of North Brookfield and Lisa Bachand of Sturbridge; his seven grandchildren, Samuel Grudzien and his wife Callie, Jackson Grudzien, Nicholas Caron and his wife Christina, Kyle Caron and his wife Amber, Zachary Bachand and his wife Savannah, Joseph Bachand and his wife Percia and Maxwell Bachand; and his seven great grandchildren, Kaelyn, Liam, Maddie, Brenna, Dylan, Amelia and Khloe.  Peter was born in Southbridge the son of the late Peter and Genevieve (Keseco) Grudzien.

Peter worked in the Tool and Die industry for several companies through the years.  He and his wife owned and operated the Elm Café in Southbridge in the early 1970s.  Peter had a great passion for baseball, he played for the San Francisco Giants in the late 1950s and was a coach for many years for the Sturbridge Little League and Sturbridge American Legion League.  He was named to the Tantasqua Regional High School Athletic Hall of Fame.   Peter was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing golf with his wife as members of the Hemlock Golf Club.  He also enjoyed 40 years of vacationing with his wife on Aruba.

Calling hours for Peter will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 24th, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm in the Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge.  A private graveside service will be in North Cemetery, Sturbridge.