John Daniel Grabowski was born on January 28‚ 1963‚ in Wyandotte‚ Michigan‚ to Anthony and Patricia Grabowski. John was the sixth of eight children that made up the Grabowski family. He grew up working for the family business‚ a popular ‘mom and pop’ hardware store that was known for its friendly service and laid back atmosphere. Twenty years later‚ people would still recognize John from his days at the hardware.
In 1988‚ John decided to take a new turn towards a career and was hired by the city of Riverview‚ Michigan‚ as a firefighter. During his time with the department‚ he worked hard and was dedicated to his community. He climbed the ranks‚ completing numerous trainings and earning many awards‚ eventually earning the rank of lieutenant and becoming an EMT-Specialist. He was involved in firefighter charities such as the annual Bowl for Burns‚ which raises money for the University of Michigan Burn Center. At 24 years of service‚ John became the president of his union‚ Riverview Firefighters AFSCME Local 3667.
John was not only involved in the firefighting community‚ but also held a job at a local chemical plant‚ BASF Corporation‚ where he ‘climbed the ladder‚’ earning the title of technician trainer. He was part of BASF’s emergency response team‚ using his skills as an EMT to respond to emergency situations on the large property.
Outside of his firefighting services and the chemical plant‚ John enjoyed traveling to the family vacation home in ‘Up North’ Michigan where he would fish and ride his jet ski. He was well known around a large community for his outgoing and friendly personality. There was not a person that crossed his path that did not like John Grabowski. He made friends everywhere he went and considered his co-workers family‚ and his fellow firefighters‚ brothers.
John was 49 years old. He is survived by two daughters and a stepson‚ but was preceded in death by his wife‚ Angela Hicks-Grabowski‚ who lost her battle with cancer. Everyone will forever remember his positive outlook on life‚ as well as his ability to light up a room with his charismatic smile and the sound of his laughter.
