In Loving Memory of
Al Grunsky
March 31, 1953 – June 21, 2024
Virtual Celebration of Life
Saturday, September 14, 2024
2:00 PM Pacific / 3:00 PM Mountain / 4:00 PM Central / 5:00 PM Eastern
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Al Grunsky Obituary
Al Grunsky passed away on June 21, 2024, in Palm Desert, CA, at the age of 71. He was born on March 31, 1953 in New Orleans., the fifth of six children. He was educated within the Catholic school system.
Al lived his life to the fullest. Deciding to move west as a young adult, California became his home. Marrying Nancy, he happily took on the responsibility of raising three children at the age of 23. So precious were these children, his final thoughts and concerns were for the “kids”. They settled in Lake Tahoe, where Al worked in hospitality, eventually becoming the Chief Engineer of resorts in several countries and states.
While working in Grand Cayman, Al met Marta. His favorite saying was, “I had been sitting on that rock for seven years waiting for a woman to sail past “. Sail there she did, and they married two years later in 2001. They loved their sailing life and their friends, their family and their pets. Eventually, they moved back to the US, making their home in Florida, partly to be near Al’s mother.
In 2008 Al and Marta moved to the Seattle area, Marta’s hometown. Rumor has it, she tricked him by vacationing in the San Juans on the sunniest week of the year. They had a small farm and Al finished his career as he began, much loved and always fixing things.
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the age of 64, Al knew the clock was ticking. He ran out of his workplace on the day he turned 65 and began retirement. Cruising in an RV, visiting the National Parks, having homes in Big Bear Lake and Palm Desert, Al’s life was active and he made close friends everywhere he went. Golf, bocce ball, pickleball, bowling and bike riding were all part of his weekly routine until the last six months of his life.
Al’s life was marked by his unique kindness and the love he shared with those around him. He will be deeply missed by family, friends, and all who knew him.
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I had a random memory of Al yesterday. I was probably around 20 years old and came home to my mother’s high pitched voice “I don’t want to dye my hair!” And her sister Marta’s voice “Just trust me! It will look great!” I walk around the corner to see Marta with a box of hair dye in the kitchen with my mom and Al.
“Al, tell her it will look great!” Marta says to Al. Now Al was a smart man and he looked terrified to say anything and just gave me a pleading “save me!” look. I would like to say I helped him out, but I am ashamed to say this was a save yourself situation. I quickly veered toward the stairs as I hear Al whisper “traitor” 😂
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I met Al through my dear friend, Marta. On of the kindest men I’ve known. Al is a shining star in my memories.
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Cheers and blessings to you Al! Always a smile, a twinkle in his eye and a story to tell! 🤗
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Fair winds and following seas A.l. Sending love to all.
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Al was a lovely man who I met through Lesley Kingdon while living in the Cayman Islands. I remember the Westin Hotel F & B team loved him.
Very sad to here of his passing and wish Marta and his family our very best.
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Al was a neighborhood friend that we went to the same Grade school, St Frances Cabrini. Lots of Kick the can and basketball. In High school we would go to CYO dances at the different schools that sponsored them. We both went to USL in Lafayette but were in different fraternities. We went to West Virginia one summer and sold books door to door. That was really crazy times. After college, Jimmy Grunsky got us jobs at Popeye’s Chicken management program, when Popeye’s was not a franchise company yet. From there Al, left New Orleans and move to Lake Tahoe. I do not remember why but we kept in touch.
Years later Al called me letting know that he had met his love “Marta” in the Cayman Islands and he Marta had married and were moving to Florida. A hard man to keep track of.
When they moved to Seattle “Snohomish” I would visit with them because my business took me there regularly. They would take us on day trips.
to see Orca Wales. Our birthdays were 11 days apart and when we made 60 Al and Marta set up a trip back to the Cayman Isle and his friends from there treaty us life family. Even though I did not see Al and Marta that often, we stayed close friends. Thank You Marta for sharing y’all s time with us. Al will be missed. :-((
Rhonda and Zach
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Here’s to Big AL, Cheers My Friend,
Al Was the first Expat that I met when I moved to Grand Cayman, Joining the Westin Team. AL lived life to the fullest and we had many Cookouts and Beers over the yrs I spent there, You will be missed by Many People, Gone to soon !! RIP My Friend.
Thank you Marta for putting this together!!
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Al was a big man because he needed a big body to house his huge, beautiful heart. He loved a laugh, he loved his friends and wow, did he love his wife. I will never forget him saying to me “yep, she’s the one’.
I have so many memories of Big Al and when I think back on them, they all contain the single thread of a a gregarious, kind soul who wanted to laugh, to cook ‘Nawlins’ style ribs for everyone and to make sure people were happy.
I will always think of him and smile and know that I was a lucky person to have known him.
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Al leaves behind a legacy of love, loyalty and dedication to family and friends. We are honored to be amongst those who loved him deeply. My many years as a single woman were blessed with his care for the practical challenges a Tahoe winter can bring. And when he brought Marta “home” to us, we knew the level of support had now doubled. Al’s life was full and the happiness he shared with Marta was unmatched. No two people deserved that happiness more. With love….
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We were so blessed to have had the opportunity to call Al one of our closest friends. It’s still difficult to think he’s not here. I still picture future plans thinking Al will be a part of it. He will always hold a special place in my heart.
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Always held you and Al in my heart.
Our time with Tres Islea
Fun in Florida and your special visit it WY
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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We always had fun on the pickleball courts and on the golf course with AL.
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I enjoyed every minute with Al. Picking him up every week for bowling. He was very friendly with everyone in the bowling alley.
It was an honor to know him.
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Al was such a sweet, sweet man who was always had time to visit! I enjoyed playing pickleball with him and loved how he doted on the pups. He will definitely be missed! RIP Buddy!
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We didn’t see Al too often through the years, but warmth and joy and welcome were always beaming from him whenever we were together. His kind spirit always made itself felt to me during every encounter. Because the biggest and longest memory I have of Al is our week spent with him in the Cayman Islands, I will always remember him as the open, free, and gentile soul who enviably got to galavant around the tropics living the dream. May the Lord enfold you in his loving arms, Al.
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We met Al after we moved to Sun City in the summer of 2022. Al helped us learn the game of pickleball and we enjoyed playing pickleball with Al many times. He was a gentle and kind man. We were blessed to know Al.
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I remember Al’s last comment to me is that I’m getting fat!
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Such a courageous and gentle man. Accepting, loving and generous. He stole my heart. When Golf Became harder, and the fact that I don’t golf, we connected over rounds of mini golf. He gave me pointers, we laughed and had fun. I had the pleasure of seeing him a few months before he passed, so glad I took the time. Love this man.
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Can’t even remember what year it was that I met Al, late 80s maybe. He lived with my wife Deborah and I at our new house in South Lake Tahoe thank goodness. Deborah and I had gone to Hawaii to help build her brother’s house. It was winter here and while we were over there both the power and the natural gas were lost at the same time for about a week. Thank goodness Al was there as he managed to care for the house and several friends who were in a bad way as they had no lights or heat. I remember thinking then that I was very lucky that it was Al living in the house as I don’t know of anybody else who could have taken care of it. He was one of my best friends and would do anything to help.
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Al was a very talented man and I observed him helping others. In his quiet way, he helped confidently.
He was a real gentleman.
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I can remember our families being together in New Orleans in 1969 for a visit. I always liked being with Uncle Harold, Aunt Margaret, Al, Jimmy and the girls. My birthday is in August. I turned 18 that year. All us kid’s went to “French Quarter” to celebrate my birthday. It was one wild night. They had to carry me into the house when we got home. We all enjoyed being together. Al was a true Grunsky, a “GREAT GUY”.
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Al had the most wonderful smile and laugh that could brighten even the darkest day – I remember it clearly to this day ❤️ I first met him while serving the Sunday Paradise special – Cheeseburgers and Mudslides and then he convinced me to move on down to the Westin.
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Al would allways want me to come down to Cristwood and repair the shower valves for him. I tried to empower him to do them but it is a high rise.
So I didn’t complain. It is scary Stuff to shut off a 6 story stack m
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Al was an easy-going, sweet gem….quiet, thoughtful, and funny. Bob and I always loved being with Al at The Sands in Desert Hot Springs. And he was always right there, working side by side on many projects with Marta. We were so saddened by his death but so pleased our lives crossed paths.
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I met Al during the last chapter of his life when he and Marta moved to Sun City Palm Desert. We became fast friends sharing Pickleball, Golf, Bowling and dinners together. Al was always there to fix anything that had broken around the house. All he would have to do is see something that was a little off and away he would go returning a few moments later with his tools. He would be on the project until it was perfect. Al, you are leaving a hole in our lives and our hearts filled with love for having known you.
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In the short time we got to spend with Al, we thoroughly enjoyed his sharp wit, wonderful stories, and dapper dress. We miss you Al. ❤️❤️
Lisa L and Tom B
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My memory of Al goes back to Sands. We arrived for a Monday meeting. Al introduced himself and we instantly became friends. Al always looked for the new people and was a friend to all
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I want to thank you for joining us in this Celebration of Al’s life. He would have been so pleased that you joined us and provided me with the comfort of knowing that he was well-loved.
Marta