Ferree C. Grossman, Jr.
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Ferree C. Grossman, Jr., 91, formerly of Christiana, passed away on Friday, March 19, 2010 at the Masonic Villages in Elizabethtown. He was the husband of the late Mary Jane Summers Grossman who died in 1983. Born in Parkesburg, he was the son of the late Ferree C. and Mary Paxon Grossman. An area resident most of his life, Ferree enlisted in the US Army in 1941 and served with the US 1st Armored Div. as a tanker. In 1943 he was wounded and captured defending the Kassarine Pass in North Africa. After two long years, Ferree was discharged in 1945 as a Staff Sergeant.
After the war, Ferree was employed as a carpenter by White Brothers retiring in 1983. He was a 50 year member of the Keystone Masonic Lodge F& AM of Parkesburg now the Brandywine Goddard Lodge of Coatesville, Life member of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, the Coatesville Royal Arch, Chapter #267 of Coatesville, the Centennial Commandery #55, Knights Templar of Coatesville, the Carpenters Union of Harrisburg and the Leola United Methodist Church.
He is survived by one daughter Susan R., wife of Jeffery S. Moyer of Leola, and one grandson Joseph Lerch. He was preceded in death by a daughter Sally Grossman in 1976 and two siblings; Richard Grossman and Martha Cox.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 11:00am from the Wilde Funeral Home, 434 Main St. Parkesburg followed by interment, with military honors, at the Upper Octorara Cemetery, Parkesburg. Family and friends are also invited to attend the viewing at the funeral home from 10:00am to the time of the service. Masonic services will be conducted at 10:45am.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Masonic Villages, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2199.
Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com
Condolences
Sorry for your loss
Sue and family,
I was sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad. I will always remember him as a kind and gentle man. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Mark and Joyce Ford
Kassarine Pass
Please accept my sympathy for the passing of your father Mr. Grossman. You don't know me, but I am the granddaughter of a soldier who was captured at the Kassarine Pass during WWII and was a POW of the Germans for 27 months.
By chance, I saw your father's obituary in the newspaper and scanned it. What a coincidence to see a familiar story in the first paragraph. So many questions sprang into my head;
did they know each other? did they ever meet after the war?, etc.
My grandfather's name was James S. Beamenderfer from Mount Joy. He died in 1983 at age 72. He did not speak much about his ordeal, but I'm sure it left an imprint on the rest of his life.
Again my deepest sympathy to you and your family. I am so glad that your father lived a long and full life. His was a special generation for which our nation should be very thankful. Sincerely, Cheryll Hallgren
Sympathies for your Dad
Sue & Family,
I was very sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. I hope Saturday will bring you some comfort and some happy memories revisited.
Todd Graham & Family
Deepest Sympathy
I would like to send my deepest sympathy at the loss of your father.
DID WE GRADUATE FROM OCTORARA
DID WE GRADUATE FROM OCTORARA TOGETHER? ITS BEEN ALONG TIME. I AM WORKING AT EPHRATA HOSPITAL. I GRADUATED FROM RADIOLOGY TECH SCHOOL IN 74. WORKED AT BRANDYWINE HOSPITAL IN NUCLEAR MED FOR 24 YRS. IT WAS GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONDOLENCES. SUSAN
IN MEMORY
Dear Family of Ferree Grossman,
I was one of your fathers nurses when he lived in Assisted Living- I believe for atleast 8 years. It was a honor to have know your father his last years. He will be remembered as a kind, courageous man.I enjoyed many conversations with him and sometimes I never said a word. I even had the pleasure of reading his memoir from his WW2 experience. He was loved by all the residents and was a good at reading lips. He approached each day as a gift and never gave up. I could tell he was proud of his children and loved them very much. He lived his life to the fullest and purpose God had for him. Sincerely, Jennifer
Our Sympathy
Susan and Family,
We were sorry to hear of your father's passing. I remember when I was young He and I had some great discussions about cars and building things. He was a smart man. He had a great laugh! You are in our thoughts and prayers. Billy Hawk & family