Jack J. Grdina

JACK J. GRDINA, age 78, beloved husband of 52 years to Sandra (née Simmons); loving father of Sarah Grdina Gilmore (fiancé Jason Wolfe), Jack John Grdina, Jr. (wife Autumn), and Nicholas Grdina (wife Gillian); devoted grandfather of Jackson and Liam Gilmore and Arianne, Jack John "JJ," and Thomas Grdina; cherished son of the late Jack John and Frances (née Zillis); dearest brother of Andrew Grdina (wife Cathy); dear brother-in-law, uncle, great-uncle, and friend to many.

Jack was born on July 15, 1947, in Cleveland, Ohio. He grew up in Euclid and graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1965. He went on to attend Western Kentucky University, where he was a proud member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Jack spent many years as the owner and operator of his own collection agency.

An avid and accomplished golfer, Jack was a member of Aurora, Shaker Heights, Sharon, Barrington, and Pinehurst Country Clubs. Over the years, he earned an impressive 14 club championships and recorded nine holes-in-one. In 1996, he served as President of the Northern Ohio Golf Association.

Jack was a passionate fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cleveland Indians. He loved classic rock (especially Neil Young) and enjoyed playing the guitar. Sociable by nature, Jack never met a stranger and had a gift for making friends wherever he went. He especially cherished traveling with his family to New York City, Seaside Heights, and Orlando.

For the final 27 years of his life, Jack divided his time between Pinehurst, North Carolina, and Aurora, Ohio. He will be fondly remembered for his positivity, quick wit, and unwavering devotion to his family, faith, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Jack to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 7604, Hagerstown, MD 21741, or the Northern Ohio Golf Association Foundation (NOGA Foundation), c/o Robb Schulze, One Golfview Lane, North Olmsted, OH 44070.

Relatives and friends are requested to meet for a Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at Our Lady Chapel at Gilmour Academy, 2045 SOM Center Rd, Gates Mills, OH 44040, at 11:30 AM. Burial following at Aurora Cemetery. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Jack at THE DeJOHN FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATIONS CENTER OF CHESTERLAND 12811 CHILLICOTHE ROAD (Rt. 306, just south of Mayfield Rd.) TUESDAY 3 - 7 PM.