Peter J. Grudzinski, Jr

Peter Joseph Grudzinski, Jr. was born to Edna and Peter Grudzinski, Sr. on September 15, 1952 in Rockville Centre, New York. He grew up in Bethpage, New York and attended St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church. He graduated from Bethpage High School in 1970, St. John’s University in Queens, New York 1974 and earned a Master’s in Secondary Education from Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts in 1976.

In 1978, Peter was introduced to Janet Sue Wrede on a blind date by the late Shirley Strang. Shirley’s wish to be able to dance at their wedding was granted on October 18, 1980.

On October 19, 1981 Peter began his 30 year journey with JCPenney in New York City and then relocated with JCPenney Corporate to Plano, Texas in September 1987. Peter first conducted training classes for the new hires of the catalog division. He grew within the company into numerous senior level positions as well as into the Systems and Project Management part of the catalog division. Peter retired from JCPenney in 2013. His heart and dedication always remained with JCPenney and each person’s life that he touched.

Peter’s two pride and joys are his children, Brian Peter F. Grudzinski and Christine Michelle Battle. Peter enjoyed coaching Chrissy’s basketball and softball teams during her schools days. Later, they shared special times together watching the Dallas Stars and Frisco Roughrider games. Peter enjoyed spending time with Brian at the movie theater, visiting historical sites and museums, and antiquing.

Peter’s hobbies included reading, travel, and photography. He had a passion for history and gardening. He enjoyed growing vegetables, herbs, and roses with his green thumb!

Peter passed from this life into eternity at his home on March 5, 2020. He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Janet Grudzinski; son, Brian Grudzinski; daughter and son-in-law, Chrissy and Mason Battle; mother, Edna Grudzinski; sisters, Alice Grudzinski and Laura Cohen; nieces, Emily and Rachel Cohen and cousin, Ann Foley and her husband, Richard Foley. Peter will also be missed by his life long best friend, Daniel and Arlene Hardgrove. He will be missed by his furry family; dogs, Murphy and Watson and granddogs, Bentley, Rascal, Jasper and Buzz.

The family will receive friends at a visitation on Thursday, March 12, 2020 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Allen Family Funeral Options.

Funeral Services and burial in Concord, New Hampshire will be announced at a future date.

And a Memorial Service will be held in Bethpage, New York.  Please check back for the date and time.

If it is your wish the family suggests donations, in Peter's memory, to:

Golden Retriever Rescue of North Texas , P.O.Box 670031 Dallas, Texas 75367, Phone: (214) 750-4477, www.goldenretrievers.org

St. Martin of Tours , 220 Central Avenue Bethpage, New York 11714, Phone: (516) 931-0818, www.smbethpage.org

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, Tennessee 38105, Phone: (800) 478-5833, www.stjude.org