Alfred Grella of East Hampton died at home on September 21. He was 93.
Mr. Grella was born in Greenvale on May 11, 1923, to Michael Grella and the former Vincenza Petruzzello, both of Sturno, Italy. He attended Roslyn High School and after graduation worked for Columbia Aircraft Corporation, a manufacturer of military amphibian aircraft.
Mr. Grella enlisted in the Marines on January 13, 1943. He was very proud to have served his country in the 4th Marine division, part of the V Amphibious Corps commanded by “Howlin’ Mad” Smith during World War II. He was a veteran of the South Pacific invasions of Kwajalain in the Marshall Islands, Roi-Namur, Saipan, Tiniam and his last combat assignment on Iwo Jima. Mr. Grella was a designated rifle sharpshooter. While in combat on Iwo Jima, he sustained a head wound from artillery shrapnel, earning a Purple Heart. He said of his combat duty, “The toughest battle was Iwo Jima, where the volcanic ash beach made it impossible to dig in.”
While still overseas in the South Pacific, “Lefty” as he was known in his athletic career, received a baseball contract with the Johnstown Johnnies, the minor league team affiliated with the New York Giants. This was his dream. Post war, he found a baseball career with the Giants until injury to his hand shortened that career.
While playing ball, he fell in love with and later married Alma Bonardi Colton in 1947. Soon after, they moved out east and settled in Hampton Bays where they raised their family. Survivors said he loved living on Eastern Long Island, where his favorite pastime was clamming in the local waters. While living out east, Mr. Grella worked for the New York State Department of Transportation as a heavy equipment operator. In 1983, he retired after 21 years of service. He spent his retirement years between Long Island with family and friends and Florida in the winter with his wife, Alma. In 1987, he and Alma moved to East Hampton to be closer to their granddaughter.
Mr. Grella was predeceased by his wife, Alma; and stepson, Robert Colton. He is survived by a son, Gary Grella of Florida; a daughter, Patrice Zaborski and husband James; and a granddaughter, Jaclyn Zaborski, all of East Hampton.
Visiting was on September 26 at Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in East Hampton. A funeral Mass was held on September 27 at Most Holy Trinity Church in East Hampton.
on Sep 23, 2016