| Author |
Message |
    
Ben
Citizen
Username: Ros
Post Number: 273
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 11:23 am: | 
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Robert Grasmere, former mayor of Maplewood and longtime pillar of our community, passed away. Funeral service information will be posted when available. |
lizzyr
Citizen
Username: Lizzyr
Post Number: 218
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 11:31 am: |
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He passed away Friday night at his second home in Vermont. There will be a civic service at Morrow in January. |
BGS
Citizen
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 440
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 4:18 pm: |
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His wife passed away this year as well. I am sorry for the Grasmere family for their double loss. I personally will miss Bob as I also miss Evelyn.
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Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 6840
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 4:50 pm: |
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Ben:
Thanks for letting us know. Bob will be sorely missed. |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1531
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 6:52 pm: |
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Ben,
thank you - I had no idea.
He's been so brave fighting his cancer, this is heartbreaking.
Bob was such a wonderful man, a real gentleman, he always had time to sit down and talk about the history of Maplewood and intersect his conversations with his passion for rugs, Indian artifacts, music, etc.
It was impossible to have a short visit with Bob, what a fine man.
So sorry that he's gone. |
Pizzaz
Supporter
Username: Pizzaz
Post Number: 2988
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 11:53 pm: |
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My deepest condolences to the family. A true gentleman, public servant and native son. |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 4599
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 28, 2005 - 1:39 am: |
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As far back as I can remember, I always considered it an honor and a privilege to be in his company. A more decent and honest man is hard to find. His deep love and devotion for his wife, family, and Maplewood was never in doubt... He was truly a gentlemen’s gentleman and will be greatly missed. |
Ben
Citizen
Username: Ros
Post Number: 274
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 28, 2005 - 8:37 am: |
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Bob had tremendous passion for many things in his life--music and history, among others, and especially Maplewood. Despite his failing health, he came out to the Veteran's Day ceremony at Town Hall just a few weeks back, then delivered a lecture at Durand-Hedden House a few days later on his experiences as a naval officer during WW II. Up untill the end of his life he was still following his passions-what a great example for all of us.
Not many folks knew that as a young man he was a jazz drummer--he told me stories of going to the Paramount Theater in New York to watch Gene Krupa! |
Bill232
Citizen
Username: Bill232
Post Number: 145
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 28, 2005 - 3:46 pm: |
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Very shocked and sad to hear of this news. I remember coming to this town many years ago with him as Mayor. For many years following, it was normal to assume him being the Mayor every year. I guess similar to how people grew up with FDR as President. I can still see him standing at the podium hosting the July 4th festivities. Thank you Mayor Grasmere. |
BGS
Citizen
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 448
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 10:53 am: |
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Bob's memorial service will be at Morrow Memorial United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 14th at 10:30AM. |
mtierney
Citizen
Username: Mtierney
Post Number: 885
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 5:42 pm: |
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I am truly saddened by this news. I noticed repeated use of the word "gentleman" in comments about him. That description truly sums up Mayor Grasmere. How rare it is today to find that quality!
He held Maplewood steady and nurtured its growth through very trying times. His efforts toward making the Secaucus rail connection a reality - years before anyone thought it possible - should not go unrecognized.
Mr. Maplewood, you will be sorely missed by all those who were fortunate enough to have known you. |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 8236
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 10:48 pm: |
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Sad news. I think Mayor Grasmere was mayor for almost half my life. |
anon
Supporter
Username: Anon
Post Number: 2461
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 12:56 pm: |
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Bob Grasmere was "Mr. Maplewood" for many years.
R.I.P. |
cody
Citizen
Username: Cody
Post Number: 893
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, January 1, 2006 - 4:38 pm: |
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Robert Grasmere was the mayor when we moved here in 1980, and we came to think of him as almost synonymous with Maplewood. He was a class act. am My condolences to his family. |
Paul Surovell
Supporter
Username: Paulsurovell
Post Number: 451
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 2, 2006 - 4:58 am: |
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Mayor Grasmere embodied all the good qualities associated with small-town America -- honesty, directness, integrity and a caring and commitment for his family, neighbors, town and country. He was both style and substance -- he looked and spoke like he could have come out of central casting. Bob was one of two Republicans I've voted for. The other being his good friend, Tom Kean. Maplewood was very lucky to have Bob Grasmere with us for such a long time. |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 4627
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 10:39 pm: |
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Tom Kean, and all along I thought the other one was me! Thanks a lot Paul.... |
Becca M.
Citizen
Username: Beccamom
Post Number: 1
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 11:22 pm: |
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I'll certainly miss Mayor Grasmere, he was a sincere and dedicated mayor as well as a conributing citizen in the years after. |
BGS
Citizen
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 506
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 1:02 pm: |
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The funeral for Mr. Grasmere is tomorrow morning at 10:30AM at Morrow Memorial UMC on the corner of Baker Street and Ridgewood. The family has made arrangements for the use of the parking lot at Maplewood Women's club so that the parking around the church can be used for family and out of town guests. They expect an overflow attendance so if you are planning to attend it might be good to get there early. |
BGS
Citizen
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 510
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, January 14, 2006 - 6:15 am: |
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bump |
anon
Supporter
Username: Anon
Post Number: 2491
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, January 14, 2006 - 10:11 am: |
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BGS:
"Early" makes sense. But 6:15 AM! |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 6908
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, January 14, 2006 - 1:33 pm: |
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It was a beautiful and touching service. It's not at all surprising how many people in our community were touched so deeply by his passing. |
BGS
Citizen
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 511
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, January 14, 2006 - 5:09 pm: |
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What an outstanding tribute to an outstanding man. His son told the funniest, poignant, tear making stories...as I listened to the speakers today, with tears running down my face along with a smile on my mouth, I thought about how honored my family is to be able to have called this man, The Renaissance Man of Maplewood, our friend.
God Bless The Honorable Robert H. Grasmere! |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 4677
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, January 14, 2006 - 11:29 pm: |
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The family video Bob Jr. put together at the reception after the service was very special. I hope they put it on Channel 35 for everyone to see... |
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