Bruce Gronkiewicz

Dr. Bruce Vincent Gronkiewicz, 60, of Carlisle, PA, passed away on Saturday, January 27, 2018, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Milwaukee, WI, on February 12, 1957 to the late Henry C. and Virginia (Czyzewski). In the early 60's the family moved to Bethesda, MD.

Dr. Gronkiewicz graduated in 1979 with a bachelor's degree from Johns Hopkins University. He earned his M.D. from Saint Louis University in 1983.While in medical school, Bruce joined the U.S. Navy and upon graduation was assigned to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in VA. After completing his internship, Bruce was assigned as the General Medical Officer aboard the USS LaSalle. While stationed aboard the LaSalle, Bruce visited numerous countries in the Middle East and Africa .Bruce returned to Portsmouth Naval Hospital where he completed his residency in Urology and met his future wife Mary, a Naval nurse at the hospital. They were married December 3, 1988. After completing his residency, the couple was assigned to U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa , Japan, for two years. They were then transferred to Jacksonville, Fl, where their son Brian was born in 1992. In 1993, Dr Gronkiewicz left active duty and moved to Carlisle, PA where he joined a Urology practice at the Belvedere Medical Center, and later formed the Watershed Urology Practice. His daughter, Mary Catherine was born in 1996.Bruce continued his service with the U.S. Navy Reserves until he retired as a Captain in 2004, with over 24 years of service

For the last three years of his career, Bruce worked for Summit Urology, Carlisle. He was a member of The American Board of Urology, the Pennsylvania Medical Society, the Government Service Urology Association, and was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Bruce served as a Cub Master for his son Brian's Cub Scout den and as the  Committee Chairman for Boy Scout Troop 168 of St. Patrick Church, where he was a parishioner. Bruce was an avid, lifelong fan of the Green Bay Packers. He also enjoyed the Washington Nationals, Johns Hopkins lacrosse, Navy football, Formula 1 racing , rugby and the Tour De France. He had a passion for traveling and ventured all around the world throughout his life, visiting 6 of the 7 continents. Bruce was a black belt in Aikido and loved to read, particularly about Naval history. He adored animals, especially his dogs. Bruce was also known for his dry sense of humor and quick wit.

Bruce  is survived by his loving wife, Mary F. (Wagner) Gronkiewicz of Carlisle; son, Brian V.  Gronkiewicz of Fairfax, VA; daughter, Mary C. Gronkiewicz, a student at JHU in Baltimore, MD; two brothers, Dean Gronkiewicz and wife Laura of Tampa, FL, and Earl Gronkiewicz and wife Patricia of Millersville, MD and their daughters, Julia Lebowitz, husband Jonathan, and Mary Kokosko, husband William He is also survived by a grandniece Sophia and numerous extended family members.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 11:00 AM in the St. Patrick Church, 85 Marsh Dr., Carlisle, PA 17013 with the Very Rev. William C. Forrey and Rev. Adewole Olusola as co-celebrants. A viewing will be held Friday, February 2, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Hollinger Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 501 N. Baltimore Ave., Mt. Holly Springs, PA 17065. Burial will take place at a later date. The family requests that donations be made to: The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, attn: The Skip Viragh Center for Pancreas Cancer,401 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21231; Military Officers Association of America, attn: MOAA Scholarship Fund, 201 n Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314; or the Naval Academy Athletic Association, 566 Brownson Rd., Annapolis, MD 21402. For condolences to the family, please visit www.hollingerfuneralhome.com .