Fayette (Fay) Powers Grose

VERMILION — Fayette (Fay) Powers Grose reunited with the God he faithfully served for over six decades on Dec. 27, 2025. His journey to everlasting life came just as he hoped it would be – swift and peaceful and within the comfort of his home, next to his devoted wife, Phyllis.

Known variously as Father Grose, Reverend Grose, Commander Grose, La Grunch, Padre, Diddy-bones, Dodo, Dad, Boy-Boy, and YeYe, Fay Grose’s story-book worthy life began in Youngstown, Ohio on April 25, 1933. The son of James P. Grose and Arminda Powers Grose, Fay came into this world with a lifetime partner-in-crime and friend, twin brother William Grose (d. 2014). When he wasn’t playing in Youngstown’s historic Wick Park, working at a skating rink, or trying to escape with a friend to Cuba (he only made it southeast Ohio), Fay could be found doing more sensible things: pursuing an education. He graduated from Hubbard High School (Ohio) in 1951. He then became a lifelong “Blue Devil” and earned a BA from Duke University in 1955. After working at his family’s store, Powers and Flaugher Men’s Haberdashery in Youngstown, Ohio, and serving as a social studies teacher at Canfield High School (Ohio) from 1957-1961, Fay entered the Episcopal seminary at Bexley Hall at Kenyon College (Gambier, Ohio) where he completed a Master of Divinity in 1964.

He spent the next five decades devoted to others through God. As a parish priest, Rev. Grose served at parishes in Smithfield, North Carolina, and throughout Ohio including Jefferson, Lorain, Salem, and Lisbon. Fay also served as a Chaplain for St. Elizabeth’s Hospital (Youngstown, Ohio). He entered the United States Navy Reserve in 1964 and served one year in Chulai, Vietnam, receiving campaign medals. He retired in 1993 with the rank of Commander.

Never wanting to be defined solely by his profession–something he told his children often–Fay was a social butterfly and life of the party. He was a member of BPO Elks, X-Change Club, Kiwanis, Lions, and the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Other hobbies included devotion to West Point, following college sports, reading Presidential history, and playing along with Jeopardy every night.

But to most of us, he was Husband, Father, and Grandpa. He is survived by his loving and caring wife “saint” Phyllis (he will admit he had an ornery side), whom he married on Aug. 8, 1980, seven children – James Grose, Margaret (Owen) Brooks, Mary Elizabeth (Klaus) Schilling, Alicia (Juan) Villalobos, Michael (Stephanie) Anderson, Diana (Jim) Powell, Timothy (Abigail) Grose; 12 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. In Heaven, he is reunited with his parents; brothers James and William; two children, Faye Anne and Kathryn; and one grandson, Nicholas.

Honoring his wishes, donations to a favorite charity are welcome in place of flowers. A celebration of life will be held at a later date – a fitting way to joyfully remember a life he once summed up by saying, “I’ve experienced just about everything during my life – it sure has been fun.”

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