Alan Grubb

Born in 1945 in the religious community of Bryn Athyn Pennsylvania, J Alan Grubb was fifth in what eventually became a family of fifteen children. In spite or because of the hardships of his youth, Alan developed a strong sense of responsibility and a profound commitment to his deeply-held ideals. This is also when he grew his sense of humor, as family dinners featured not only jokes, but jokes about jokes, and jokes about jokes about jokes.

After graduating from the Academy of the New Church, Alan worked briefly in the film industry, kicking off an amateur career of videography and photography in which he created personal artworks featuring offspring and preserving meaningful moments. Then upon earning high marks on the Federal Service Entrance Exam, Alan was recruited by Burroughs Corporation (later Unisys) and was a “Computer Guy” (as claimed on his annual tax return) for 39 ¾ years until becoming a “Retired Computer Guy” (ditto) in the early 2000s.

Personal healing and growth was a passion of Alan’s, and his dedication to fostering this in his Church community was a significant contribution to many people’s lives. He was instrumental in the development and leadership of Laurel Family Camps, where every aspect of the camp was grounded in God’s love and on a commitment to creating a place where every person belonged. This philosophy grew into year-round groups of many kinds, offering a safe and healing environment for his church community.

Alan was married – twice! – to Mary Parker, a schoolmate and fellow church member from Toronto, and they had five children. Although separated for years in the middle, they raised their children together in their younger years, and enjoyed their golden decades with family gatherings, bike adventures, and in a daily walk to the post office on the other end of town, waving to friends and relations along the way.

In retirement Alan served the Bryn Athyn Church School as a beloved “Mister Fix-It,” helped people file tax returns at the Library, and kept the puzzle gang busy at Cairnwood Retirement Village with a steady stream of jigsaws.

Alan was a lifelong learner, a builder and fixer, a good citizen, an avid baby holder, a generous gift-giver, a joker, a community tender and a devoted husband, dad, Pops, and Gramps. He is survived not only by his loving family, but also by a sizeable collection of Smurfs.

A celebration of Alan’s life will be held in Bryn Athyn on March 22, 2025.

1-2pm Songs and Stories in the Bryn Athyn Cemetery (weather permitting)

2pm Interment Ceremony in the BA Cemetery

3:30 Special Music in the Bryn Athyn Cathedral

4pm Memorial Service in the Bryn Athyn Cathedral

All are welcome.