Cover photo for Jeffrey A. Grischow "The Captain"'s Obituary
1969 Jeffrey 2020

Jeffrey A. Grischow "The Captain"

June 20, 1969 — September 1, 2020

Warren

Jeffrey A. Grischow “The Captain” June 20, 1969 - September 1, 2020.
After suffering a sudden and unexpected cardiac arrest in his home in the early morning of
Saturday 8/31, Jeff fought hard to stay with us. But as his stay in ICU continued through the
weekend, his wife - surrounded by an incredible combined family united in love for him - made
the impossible decision to withdraw care and allow his struggling body to let go and finally rest.
At 2:41 pm Tuesday 9/1 his beautiful heart stopped beating.
Jeff embodied all the passions and contradictions, gifts and foibles of being human. He was big
and boisterous with those who knew him well, and had an endless supply of jokes and comedy
that he lavished upon those lucky enough to be in that club. In contrast, he had a sharp tongue
and was sometimes quick to anger, but he also had a great capacity for love, for comfort, for
justice and fairness. He was haunted by past mistakes and frequently clung to long ago wrongs.
These things hurt him. But through the brokenness there was so much light. He loved being a
father and was indescribably proud of his children, while at the same time feared failing as a
Dad. He truly enjoyed cooking, and in that trade he had so much skill yet rarely asserted
himself. Of course at home in his own kitchen he was King, and meal prep always came with
loud music and chaos and fun. He frequently talked of owning a food truck. His connection to
animals was evidenced by the many dogs he loved over his lifetime, but also in his staunch trap
and release program for indoor rodents & a consistent practice of gently placing spiders outside.
He was fiercely loyal to those in his circle, and although small it was enough for him; he required
and asked for very little. He enjoyed sorting through old coins, looking for that one rare piece.
He collected superhero Golden Age comic books. He was always looking for another good
knife.
Words cannot adequately describe the pain of his loss. We are all left behind to grapple with the
would haves, could haves, and should haves. Loving father, husband, brother, uncle, nephew,
cousin, friend, he was preceded in death by his parents, Annie & Ron and is survived by his
children, Samara and Alexander Grischow, stepdaughter Cadence Burgoyne, wife Leslie
Williams and ex wife Kate Harper, sister Peggy Grischow, cousin Rhonda Knez and countless
other relatives, friends and coworkers. So many lives touched, he was taken too soon. Our grief
is unimaginable.
Do not judge a song by its duration
Nor by the number of its notes
Judge it by the way it touches and lifts the soul
Sometimes those unfinished are among the most beautiful
And when something has enriched your life
And when its melody lingers on in your heart
Is it unfinished?
Or is it endless?
~Author Unknown

William Nicholas Funeral Home in Niles, Ohio will be handling cremation services. The family
has decided to hold off in making formal arrangements for calling hours and a memorial service
until they are certain as many people as possible can safely gather to celebrate Jeff’s life.
Death is inevitable. We can never control it or stop it. So in lieu of flowers, please love one
another.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jeffrey A. Grischow "The Captain", please visit our flower store.

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