Obituary of Martin J. Grabeck Sr.

Martin J. Grabeck, 68, of Rocky Hill, died unexpectedly Saturday (Sept. 11, 2021) at his home. Born in New Britain, the son of the late William Grabeck & Joanne Rowlands. Marty lived in Bristol, New Britain, Berlin and most recently in Rocky Hill. He was a hard worker and went to school for information technology while raising his young family. He had a long career in IT at several CT area companies, most recently as an IT Specialist at Data-Mail in Newington. Marty was active in his apartment community; you could always find him socializing by the pool or helping a neighbor. He enjoyed cooking and eating Italian food, watching Italian mob movies, detailing cars and cheering on the New York Yankees. Marty’s children and grandchildren were his world. Marty loved entertaining his grandchildren with funny faces and noises, “pony” rides and games of hide and seek or “hot and cold.” He couldn’t wait to meet and hold his newest grandson. Marty was a happy and kind-hearted man who always had a smile on his face and was loved by all who knew him. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Diane (Rio) Grabeck, who died July 3, 2011, and her parents, James and Josephine Rio who loved him like a son. Marty is survived by his son Martin and his wife Leslie Grabeck of Wethersfield; his daughter Krista and her husband Derek Angel of Simsbury; his grandchildren Matthew and Andrew Grabeck and Theodore Angel; his brother-in-law, James Rio and his wife Bonnie of Tarpon Springs, FL and his extended family. Funeral services will be held Tuesday (Sept. 28th) 9:00 AM from the Farrell Funeral Home 110 Franklin Sq. New Britain, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 A M at St. Katharine Drexel Parish (St. Maurice Church) 100 Wightman Road New Britain. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain. Visitation will be Monday (Sept. 27th) from 5:00 to 7:00 P M at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.