Martin Joseph Grourke, age 82, of Lansdale, PA passed away on July 13, 2023, after courageously living with Alzheimer’s disease since 2017.
He was the beloved husband of Elizabeth Grourke (nee Plick), with whom he shared over 59 years of marriage. He was the father of Nancy Demetrius (Pat), M.J. Grourke (Erin), and Steve Grourke (Erin). He thought of his in-laws as his own children, especially his third “son,” Pat. He was “The FaFa” to eleven grandchildren whom he adored: Cian, Riley, Alanna, Kiley, Shea, Jillian (JJ), Elsie, Camryn, Nora, Blythe, and Conley.
Born in Philadelphia, PA on November 20, 1940, Marty was the only child of the late Martin and Elsie (Pafcsik) Grourke and the grandson of the late James and Elizabeth Grourke and Joseph and Maria Pafcsik. He was a devout Roman Catholic and attended Corpus Christi grade school and St. Joe’s Prep high school in Philadelphia. His mother passed away when he was in high school, and when his father remarried the family moved to Maple Shade, NJ. Marty’s mom instilled in him the importance of education, which made his one mile walk from home to catch a bus to Philly and the Prep each day a priority.
Marty was the quintessential self-made man. He put himself through college by working a year in industry at Rohm & Haas before beginning his education at Drexel, where he graduated with a BS in Chemistry in 1964. In his senior year of college Marty married the love of his life, Elizabeth, whom he had met at “The Haas.” Marty often told the story to his family about how he went to church prior to asking Elizabeth to marry him and prayed, “Lord God, I pray, if Elizabeth says ‘yes’ You will make me the happiest man on Earth.” And that he was! Marty continued his lifelong learning at Brown University, where he earned a PhD in Chemistry in 1969 and spent a year doing post-doc research at Brandeis University. Marty and Elizabeth then moved their young family to Hatboro, PA and then Lansdale, PA in 1971 where they raised their family among loving friends and neighbors on Concord Place.
Marty spent his entire career at Rohm & Haas, where he built lifelong friendships and had the opportunity to travel abroad for work when he was not officing at 6th and Market in Center City or at the “farm” in Spring House. Marty also wore the monikers of “Teacher” or “Dr. Grourke” as an adjunct member of LaSalle University’s faculty, where he taught for over 30 years.
Marty was a classic 1970s and ’80s Lansdale dad, family man, and neighbor. He worked hard for his family and lived his life through his kids’ and St. Stan’s parish activities. Lansdale Cannoneers, Lansdale Little League, and Lansdale Catholic sports were his avocations for many years. In retirement, Marty and his beautiful “bride” devoted more time to the parish community in service to the stewardship committee, midnight Perpetual Adoration, bingo nights, and at the St. Stan’s Summer Festival. They also made great memories traveling domestically and internationally as a couple and with friends, and instilled in their family a love for culture and exploration.
Marty was an avid tennis player and he loved music, especially “Sundays with Sinatra” with Sid Mark, Willie Nelson, Simon and Garfunkel, and Joe Cocker. He was a faithful Notre Dame “subway” alum, and was quick with a Knute Rockne quote or Four Horsemen reference. He enjoyed many memorable trips to South Bend to cheer on the Irish. After years of family vacations “Down the Shore” and up at Lake George, NY, Marty introduced the family to the West where they first marveled at the awe-inspiring landscapes of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in the early 1990s. These experiences imbued Marty with the “mountain man” mystique, which he manifested through weekend mountain man breakfasts on the back deck, drinks on the “south forty,” and making “Jeremiah Johnson” a Grourke family tradition. For two decades Marty and Elizabeth would make lasting memories with their kids and grandkids each summer in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This family tradition continues to this day.
Of all of Marty’s accomplishments in life, however, his greatest success and what made him a “wealthy man” was his family and most especially his grandkids. Memories with FaFa and the grandkids included annual trips to Jim Thorpe and OBX, the annual reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,’ countless kids’ activities, playing the harmonica, and lots of FaFa-isms! Marty wanted nothing more than to live a Christ-centered life and have a happy and healthy family.
He was blessed to live that life, and all who knew him were fortunate to call him a friend.
Marty’s family will receive family and friends on Friday, July 21, 2023 from 9:00am – 11:00am at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 51 Lansdale Ave, Lansdale, PA. Mass will follow. Interment will be in St. John Neumann Cemetery, Chalfont, PA. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Marty’s memory to St. Stanislaus Church (51 Lansdale Ave., Lansdale, PA 19446) or the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org).