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Robert Francis "Bob" Groshon, Sr., age 92, of Denver, NC, died on May 17, 2016 at Presbyterian Hospital in Huntersville, NC. He was born on March 4, 1924 in Washington, D.C. to Eugene and Louise Groshon. He was predeceased by his mother and father and step-father, Howard G. Brooks, as well as his brother, Eugene Groshon, Jr. Robert grew up in Washington, D.C. and attended Holy Name Catholic Elementary School and St. Pauls Academy High School where he graduated in 1942. He married Frankie Thompson from Newberry, SC on June 28, 1947 at Holy Name Church in N.E. Washington, D.C. Robert served his country for four years in the U. S. Navy and five years in the U. S. Navy Reserve. During World War II he served aboard the light cruiser U.S.S. Miami which participated in major campaigns in the Pacific in the Third and Fifth Fleets. He earned the following ribbons and medals: American Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign with six battle stars, Philippine Liberation with two battle stars, Navy Combat Action, National Defense Service and Good Conduct. From an early age, Robert wanted a career as a firefighter after hearing family stories about his great grandfather, Joseph Daniels, one of Washington, D.C.’s first career firefighters who lost his life in August 1882 when the steam fire engine 3 that he was driving capsized while responding to a school fire. After his active military service, he entered the fire service and was a career firefighter in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. at Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Chevy Chase Maryland fire departments. He later joined the Arlington, Virginia fire department where he served for 24 years becoming that department’s fire chief in 1973. During corresponding years he was a member of volunteer fire departments at Hyattsville and Rockville in Maryland and Jefferson Fire Department in Fairfax County, Virginia. In 1978 he joined the South Carolina Fire Academy as a Program Specialist. He was a state-certified instructor for the states of Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. He also taught training classes for over 40 years in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Illinois, and Florida. He was a life member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs, and the State Fire Chiefs of Virginia. Robert is survived by his devoted wife and friend, Frankie; daughter, Michele Lail of Denver, NC; son, Robert Groshon, Jr. of Oklahoma City, OK; and, son, John LeBaron (Baron) Groshon of Huntersville, NC, nine grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. Robert was a member of St. Therese Catholic Church in Mooresville, NC for thirty-two years and was a life member of the Knights of Columbus with membership in K.O.C. Council 7406 in Mooresville, NC. Because of his advanced age, he had recently been attending Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Denver, NC with his daughter, Michele. Viewing will be at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, 494 E. Plaza Drive, Mooresville, NC 28115 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Sunday, May 22, 2016. A Requiem Mass will be held on Monday, May 23, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Therese Catholic Church at 217 Brawley School Road in Mooresville, NC 28117. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Lincolnton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Knights of Columbus Council #7406 for charitable purposes.

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Robert Francis Groshon

March 4, 1924 - May 17, 2016