Deacon Alfred G. Groh

Deacon Alfred G. Groh 86, of Naples, FL died on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015 at his residence after an extended illness. Born August 29, 1928 in Kearny, NJ, he was a son of the late Herman G. and Margaret (née Bell) Groh. Deacon Al had been a resident of Naples since 1990 coming from Bricktown, NJ. On May 12, 1979, he was ordained as Deacon in the Diocese of Trenton, NJ. He served as Deacon for St Dominic's Catholic Church in Brick, NJ and then as the first Deacon at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Naples when it was founded in 1992. He also served as the Spiritual Advisor of the Knights of Columbus St. John Council 11281 and was a 4th Degree member of the Arthur J. Corr Assembly #3308. He served many ministries at St. John the Evangelist including the fund raising for the original church in 1991, heading the RCIA program, welcoming new Catholics to the Church, and giving sermons at the childrens’ Masses. Prior to moving to Naples, he served as the Vice President and Sales Manager for his families company, Filter Equipment Company in Wall Township, NJ. He retired from the company in 2005. He is survived by his children, Stephen A. (Audrey) Groh of Toms River, NJ, G. Scott (Sarah) Groh of Jackson, NJ, Catherine M. Groh-Tamasi of Naples, FL and Doris M. (Walter) Tote of Wake Forest, NC; one brother, Herman Groh of Naples, FL, sister, Margaret Piretra of PA, and 9 grandchildren, Alison, Ren, Kristen, Katlynn, Kortney, Adam, Lindsey, Kyle and Taylor. He was preceded in death by his wife, Agnes D. Groh in 2006 and brother, George Groh. Deacon Groh will be lying in repose on Thursday, April 9, 2015 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church 625 111th Ave No., Naples. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 PM. A reception for family and friends will follow in the Parish Life Center. Burial services will be held Friday, April 10, 2015 at 11:00 AM in St. John’s Memorial Garden. To honor his memory, the family asked that donations be made to the Catholic Charities of Collier County 2210 Santa Barbara Blvd., Naples, FL 34116 or online at www.CatholicCharitiescc.org or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 626 Danny Thomas Place., Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjudes.org . Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home.

Deacon Alfred G. Groh

August 29, 1928 - April 5, 2015