Anthony "Tony" Grifo Jr

Anthony “Tony” Grifo Jr. of Wooster, OH passed peacefully away at Brookdale Assisted Living, on August 27, 2024.

Tony was born February 16, 1929 in Easton, PA. He was one of seven children born to Antonio and Biagia (Trombadore) Grifo who immigrated from Sicily to the US through Ellis Island in NYC in the 1920’s.

In 1951 Tony received his undergraduate degree from Delaware Valley University in PA. where he played football. After graduating with a master’s degree in animal sciences from the University of Connecticut in 1958, Tony began his lifelong career at The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) in Wooster where he worked from 1961 to 1992. Tony achieved the status of Assistant Professor in Animal Science at OARDC while performing veterinary research in large animal reproduction and nutrition. He published over 150 articles in the Journal of Animal Science.

 While performing duties as Sergeant in the US Airforce during the Korean war, Tony met the love of his life, Barbara Jean Smith, in Danville, IL. On April 24, 1954, they were married and proceeded to have five children. 

An active member of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, in 1969 Tony achieved the St. Pius X award for teaching CCD classes. He enjoyed coaching his sons in Little League baseball at Miller Fields and was an active member of the YMCA where he frequently swam. Always involved in his children’s athletics, Tony could always be seen in the stands at his children’s gymnastics meets, baseball games and wrestling meets. For 12 years, Tony also served as statistician for the Wooster High School wrestling team. 

Tony will be deeply missed by his children Mark Anthony (Jenna) Grifo of Millersville, MD., Jean Marie (Donald) Williams of St. Charles, IL., James John (Nancy) Grifo of Wooster, Anthony “Pat” Patrick III (Rachel) Grifo of Brunswick, and Mary Catherine Grifo of Phenix, VA; 13 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law June Grifo of NJ.

Tony was preceded in death by his wife Barbara, grandson Mark Anthony Grifo Jr., brothers James, Richard, Jack, and sisters Emily Herbert, Jean Reece, and Nellie Erkinger.

Services will be on Saturday, September 21 at 10am at the Roberts Funeral Home - Sherwood Chapel, Wooster (and livestreamed at www.RobertsFuneralHome.com/obituaries/Anthony-Tony-Grifo-Jr). Burial will immediately follow Sherwood Memorial Gardens, Wooster, where military rites will be held. An informal gathering and celebration of life will be held immediately following the service at the Jim and Nancy Grifo residence at 967 Ashwood Drive in Wooster, OH 44691.

Online tributes may be made at www.RobertsFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ohio’s LifeCare Hospice at www.ohioshospice.org or Wayne County Dog Shelter Adoption Center at www.waynedogshelter.org.