James Groski

James A. Groski

James A. Groski, 73, Toivola died Thursday, January 5, 2012 at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, MN., after a brief battle with lung cancer.  He was born on October 3, 1938 to Alexander and Frances (Welerowicz) Groski Rabel in Hibbing, MN.  He had been a resident of the Toivola area since the late 1980’s coming from Vermont.  Jim served his country for two years after being drafted with the U. S. Army.  After his call of duty, Jim achieved his private pilot’s license at the age of 19. He was employed as an airline pilot for many years, working for various airlines throughout his career.  He also was rated for Lear Jets which he flew as well.  He and his late wife, Marilyn attended church at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Meadowlands, the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Hibbing, and when they could, would attend Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Duluth.  His pastimes included coin collecting, building model airplanes, stamp collecting, flying, and most of all his dogs.  Jim loved his animals very much.
He is survived by his daughter, Mary Frances (Joseph) Parent, Bristol, VT., sister, Bernice Griffin, Atlanta, GA., a nephew, Kevin, niece, Rebecca, and his two beloved dogs, Lola and Mischief.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Marilyn Groski, 2004, brother, Joseph, and his beloved dogs, Brandy, Butch, Sugar, Andre, and Spice.
Funeral services for Jim will be held at 11:00am, Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Chruch in Hibbing.  The Rev. Fr. Gabriel Waweru will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral Mass at the church on Tuesday.  A spring interment will be held at St. Salem Cemetery in Mahtowa, MN.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Camp TaKumTa, (a camp for children with cancer) P.O. Box 576 Waterbury, VT., 05676, or to St. Mary’s Hospice located at the hospital in Duluth, MN.  Arrangements are with the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing.

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