Charles Walter Grabowski

Charles Walter Grabowski died in his home on October 6, 2017 in Orange, CA. He was 74.

Chuck was born on October 15, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan to his parents Walter and Mildred Grabowski. As a child he picked up his love for the blues from his uncle Skip Hamilton who worked a jukebox service route and would bring worn 78s home after his shift. Chuck graduated from Bentley High School in Livonia, MI in June 1961. He married his sweetheart Dorothy Irene Love on September 16, 1961. Chuck had entered the US Marine Corps shortly before they were married, and the two got hitched while Chuck was on leave after boot camp. The newlyweds immediately drove west to Camp Pendleton in sunny Southern CA.

While a “First to Fight” leatherneck Marine, Chuck was stationed in a ship off of the coast of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1963. After his honorable discharge with the rank of Corporal, he worked a variety of jobs while taking college courses, including driving a taxi while living in San Francisco. Chuck worked as a welder in the marine industry, including work on a 42-foot racing sailboat that won its class in a trans-Pacific race; he worked for Disneyland as a fabrication welder, helping build the Thunder Mountain ride and repairing everything from popcorn machines to the Matterhorn ride. Chuck became a certified avionics jet engine mechanic for General Electric, where he worked until he retired. In retirement he took on his favorite job of golf course Marshal at tennis legend Jack Kramer’s Los Serranos Country Club.

Chuck is loved by all who knew him and is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dorothy, his daughter Deanna Grabowski Hansen, his son Joshua Grabowski, his three grandchildren Sean Grabowski, Samantha Anderson-Grabowski and Sadie Love Grabowski, and his sisters Beverly Pickett, Joan Swaim and Carol Dordea.

Flowers to be delivered directly to:

Los Serrano's Country Club
15656 Yorba Ave, Chino Hills, CA 91709

 Service Information