Obituary of Charles W. Gruhn

Charles W. Gruhn was born in 1941 in Brooklyn where he resided with his siblings Joyce, Gerard, and Margaret. In his youth, he attended William E. Grady High School where he received vocational training as a carpenter. Shortly after graduation, Charlie entered the U.S, Army where he served a tour of duty in Vietnam while assigned to an artillery unit within the 1st Calvalry Division in An Khe. After returning home, Charlie established himself as a master craftsman and began a career as a cabinet maker and installer, eventually opening his own shop. While pursuing his career, Charles also became a father to 4 children whom he loved and adored: Christopher, Michelle, Susan, and Christine. Charlie wasn't really one to showcase his emotions, but he always had a prideful gleam in his eye when it came to discussions of his children. He also had a special place in his heart for his son-in-law, Chris, and would always look forward to seeing him and spending time with him. After his retirement, Charlie embarked full time on his new favorite profession and the one he was most proud of: "Grandpa". Charlie was lucky enough to have experienced beloved memories and shared experiences with each of his 11 grandchildren: Marissa, Valerie, Caleigh, Christopher, Nicholas, Ryan, Lauren, Julia, Ava, Connor, and Andrew. Charlie got to experience so many special moments and family events with the grandkids, from communions, confirmations, graduations, sporting events, award ceremonies, and so much more. He even got to see pictures of two of his granddaughters graduate from college with bachelor degrees, the first from his family to do so. In his final days, Charlie's most prized possessions were portraits of his family and a blanket containing images of his grandchildren which kept both his body and his heart warm. After residing for the past year at the Long Island State Veteran's Home in Stony Brook, Charles passed peacefully on the morning of July 6th at the Good Shepherd Hospice Center in Port Jefferson. Charlie is predeceased by his mother, Charlotte, his brother, Gerard, and by his son, Christopher, and the family takes comfort in knowing that they were there to greet him at the end of his journey. The family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to all the staff of the Long Island State Vets Home who treated Charlie with kindness, compassion, dignity and respect during his time at the Vets home and would further like to thank them for the extraordinary medical care which they provided to him. They would also like to thank his friends at the facility who befriended him and turned "The House" into a home . Charlie will miss you all. Although Charlie always loved flowers, the family would also request that you consider a donation in Charlie's name to the Long Island State Veteran's Home at 100 Patriots Road, Stony Brook, NY 11790 Attn: Community Relations