John Alexander Grossi

This memorial was created to honor and remember John's life. John Alexander Grossi, 74, died Monday, December 28, 2020 after falling ill with Covid-19. Born July 29, 1946, in New Rochelle, NY, he was the son of the late Olindo Grossi and Martha Seymour Grossi of Manhasset, NY. He was an intelligent, sensitive, highly-skilled artist and handyman, as well as an exceptional athlete. He enjoyed a community of loyal friends due to his kindness and generosity. He loved children and animals a great deal, delighting in inventing games for pet dogs and cats and making gifts for his nieces and nephews. John grew up in Manhasset, attending Manhasset Secondary School until 1964. He went on to complete a BS at Union College in 1969. Drafted by the Army in 1971, he was honorably discharged in 1975. During his adult life, he split his time between Vail, Colorado and Newport Beach, California, which allowed him to pursue two careers he loved: teaching skiing and crewing sailboats. John quietly struggled with alcoholism most of his adult life. During the last years of his life, he was sober and recovering, with help from Alcoholics Anonymous. He leaves his sister Susan Forsyth, brother Thomas, nieces Katy Forsyth and Sage Grossi Melley, nephews Andrew Forsyth and Garrett Grossi, as well as five grandnieces and grandnephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pacific Wildlife Care (https://www.pacificwildlifecare.org/), Marine Mammal Center (https://www.marinemammalcenter.org/), or Alcoholics Anonymous (https://contribution.aa.org) He expressed his love through his art: making expertly-crafted model boats and paintings depicting his family and friends’ favorite people, moments, and places.