WOLF GRUCA Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

FAMILY GRAVESIDE SERVICE: 2:00 PM FRIDAY 2/19/2021 AT CLOVER HILL PARK CEMETERY. A Zoom link will be provided for the service. JOIN ZOOM MEETING BY CLICKING ON LINK BELOW: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6473613553 Age 101, died February 18, 2021. During his life, Wolf Gruca proudly carried many titles: son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. The title he carried the longest, however, was that of survivor. Wolf Gruca was the beloved father of Joseph (Sandra) Gruca, Mary (James) Starr and Susane Yesnick. He was the honored grandfather of Jeffrey Gruca, Terri Gruca, Rabbi Aaron (Rebecca) Starr and David (Dr. Brittany Lakin-Starr) Starr. Wolf Gruca was the cherished Zayde (great-grandfather) to Ryan Gruca, Jacob Gruca, Caleb Starr, Ayal Starr, and Eliana Starr. He was predeceased during the Holocaust by his parents, Joseph and Meryl, as well as five siblings and their respective families. Wolf was also predeceased by daughter-in-law Shelley Gruca (z'l) and son-in-law, Aaron Yesnick (z'l). Wolf Gruca was a respected member of Congregation Shaarey family, where he found lasting friendships and community. When Germany entered Poland in 1939, Wolf Gruca was among the many Jews forced into the ghetto. A tool maker by training, he then served for several years as forced labor in the HASAG plant not far from his home in Czestochowa. Before the War came to an end, he labored as well at Buchenwald, including its sub-camp Mittelbau-Dora, and then Osterode am Harz in Germany. When the Holocaust ended, Wolf spent time at the displaced persons camp at Bergen-Belsen and then at Frankfurt-Mein, where he met and married Regina (nee Waldman), and where the couple welcomed their first child, Joe. Wolf, Regina and Joe immigrated to New York and then came to Detroit. In Detroit, the family grew, adding Mary (Margie) and Susane. Wolf eventually took a position in tool and die with Chrysler, where he worked for thirty years until his retirement. Especially in the first part of his retirement and before her death in 2000, Wolf took gentle care night and day of his wife Regina, whose physical limitations that resulted from the Holocaust turned into full disabilities. Wolf was a regular part of the minyan at Beth Achim and then at Congregation Shaarey Zedek, where he joyfully made breakfast every Sunday for the minyan attendees. Then, after the passing of his wife, Wolf found much joy in spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; in shepping nachas over their accomplishments; in receiving phone calls from those closest to him; in dancing with friends; and especially in sitting together with four generations of his family each Shabbat morning at Congregation Shaarey Zedek. OFFICIATING: Rabbi Yonatan Dahlen Hazzan David Propis INTERMENT: Clover Hill Park Cemetery SHIVA: Due to the pandemic, there will be no formal Shiva. The family will be attending minyan daily through Congregation Shaarey Zedek, beginning at 6:00 pm Friday. https://zoom.us/j/8167572328 CONTRIBUTIONS: If you would like to further honor the memory of WOLF GRUCA you may do so by making a contribution to: CONGREGATION SHAAREY ZEDEK Rabbi Aaron Starr Discretionary Fund 27375 Bell Road Southfield, MI 48034 248-357-5544 www.shaareyzedek.org or HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL CENTER 28123 Orchard Lake Road Farmington Hills, MI 48334 248-553-2400 www.holocaustcenter.org

WOLF GRUCA

February 6, 1920 - February 18, 2021

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