Frank J. Grella Jr.

Frank J. Grella Jr, 90, of Washington, died peacefully Sunday, December 12. He was born in Dundalk, MD during the Great Depression and grew up in Wheeling, WV, son of the late Frank J. and Virginia Grella. He is survived by five siblings: Michael and wife Kathleen Grella of Middletown, PA; Angela, Tony, Assunta and Joachim Grella of Wheeling, WV, and by two children: Christopher and wife Katie of South Fayette Twp, and Jennifer Martino and husband Aron of Lancaster Twp. Also surviving are eight grandchildren: Kyra, Ryann, and Leah Martino; and Annemarie, Molly, Jillian, Zachary, and Benedict Grella. He was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years Kathleen, and by four siblings: Patrick, Mary Margaret, Joseph, and John Grella. Frank served as a Staff Sergeant with the U.S. Army in Okinawa during the Korean conflict. He held high-level accounting positions at both Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corporation and Alstom T&D. He did substantial volunteer work at the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Immaculate Conception Church where he attended, Trinity Church and the Washington Community Theater. Best known in local theater for his roles as Daddy Warbucks in Annie and King Arthur in Camelot, Frank also sang in the Ohio Valley Chorale, the Immaculate Conception Church Choir, and the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh. He studied piano under a teaching lineage five generations removed from Beethoven, was a skilled photographer and painter, and enjoyed classical guitar, golf, cycling, skiing, hiking, hunting, chess, and billiards. But his greatest joy was his children, to whom he told bedtime stories he wrote himself, such as “The Three Ants”, “Mr. Shultz and the Red Wagon”, and “Pony Pat”. He was extremely handy and taught his son how to tear down and rebuild bicycles, while teaching his daughter how to play tennis which they enjoyed together for years. He shared his love of the Lord and of music with his wife, children, and grandchildren. And he was always the best-dressed man in town. Family and friends will be received Monday, December 20, 2021, from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 21, at 10 am, in St. James Parish, Immaculate Conception Church, with Father Tom Lewandowski, celebrant. Those wishing to attend the service should meet at the church Tuesday morning. Interment to follow in Washington Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by American Legion Post 175. Memorial Contributions in Frank’s honor may be made to Immaculate Conception Church.