Vincent Francis Grodzicki
November 13, 1918 - December 27, 2021

South Bend, IN. -- Vincent Grodzicki, passed away Monday, December 27, 2021 at the age of 103. Vincent began his long life on November 13, 1918, born in South Bend during the last great pandemic, He was married for 69 years to his late wife, Mary Jane (Heritz) Grodzicki.
His parents, Vincent Grodzicki and Frances (Marecka) Brusich and his 6 siblings preceded him in death.

His 5 children remain to mourn Vincent: Carol (Rick) Phillips, Theresa Minix, Barbara Grodzicki, Nancy (Keith) Chrzan, and Vincent (Cathy Prullage) Grodzicki, Jr., as do 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Vincent grew up on Fisher St., and attended St. Hedwig grade school and Central High School. He was proud of his service in the United States Army during WWII. Medically unable to go overseas, Vincent served his time guarding German POWs with the 729th Military Police Battalion at Camp Perry in Ohio near Port Clinton. After the war he joined the American Legion.

Before the war Vincent worked for Studebakers, building the DUKW amphibious trucks used extensively in Europe and in the Pacific. After the war he returned to Studebakers and ended his 23 year career there only when it closed in 1963. He then worked at Kaiser Jeep/AM General until his retirement in 1983.

An active outdoorsman, Vincent spent his free time gardening, fishing (he was proud of his ability to always catch his limit), and hunting. Mechanically adept, Vincent enjoyed tinkering and conducting his own automobile and home repairs. He came up with practical, inventive solutions even late in life when he adapted his home to accommodate his reduced mobility, allowing him to live independently until age 102. Vincent told entertaining and sometimes changing stories about the events of his long life. He loved his family and his life and was thrilled to achieve his goal of living for 100 years.

Visitation will be 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm Thursday, January 6, 2022 at the St. Joseph Funeral Home, 824 S. Mayflower Rd. A funeral service will take place at 11:00 am Friday, January 7, 2022 in the funeral home's Chapel. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice, 230 W. Catalpa Dr., Mishawaka, IN 46545, or to St. Hedwig Catholic Church, 331 S Scott St, South Bend, IN 46601.

St. Joseph Funeral Home

Source: FindAGrave.com

04/12/2025 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/235411933/vincent_francis-grodzicki