Douglas Arthur Groner
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Douglas Arthur Groner, 80 years old, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 1, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia at Fountainview Nursing Home. Doug was born July 6, 1940 in Atlantic City, New Jersey to Dorothy Angliss and Walter Otto Groner who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Marsha, of 59 years, his two daughters, Heidi (and Cristian E. Baguer), Gena Lawrence; and his four beloved grandchildren, Cristian D. and Emma, Jack and Hudson.
After serving his country in the U.S. Army, Doug attended and graduated from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. He continued his life of service by giving back to his community, in various ways, over the decades. Doug, Marsha and their two daughters lived in Hillsdale where he served on the pool commission for Stonybrook Swim Club in Hillsdale for many years. Doug also served on the Town Council and as Mayor of Hillsdale, sat on the Pascack Valley/Pascack Hills Regional Board of Education, was active in the local Republican Party and coached many of his daughter Gena's softball teams in the 1980s. Rarely did he miss a travel softball game or PVHS volleyball game in which Gena played.
One of Doug's great joys in life was his and Marsha's grandchildren. They played an active role in their eldest grandchildren's lives for the first 10 years of their lives. Over those years, he shared with them his tremendous love of music, James Bond, Alien series, Star Wars movies and skiing. Doug and Marsha moved to Atlanta in 2013 to be closer to their younger grandchildren. He would regularly walk to their school in the afternoons to accompany them home - and maybe stop off at the playground on the way. Doug made fast friends with the other parents and was a welcome addition to the afternoon chat sessions while the kids played.
Doug lost his long battle with Parkinson's Disease Tuesday evening. He was a faithful believer in science & medicine and was adamant that his brain be donated to the Center for Movement Disorders at Columbia University, Department of Neurology where he participated in a study early in his diagnosis. Doug's gift was motivated by his wish to contribute, in some way, to the research and study of Parkinson's Disease to, hopefully, finding a cure.
In honor of Doug, donations to The Micheal J. Fox Foundation (www.MichaeIJFox.org) or Columbia University Department of Neurology, Movement Disorder Research (www.neurology.columbia.edu) would be greatly appreciated.