Mr. Andrew Griglak

Andrew Joseph Griglak, Jr.

March 11. 1938 – January 3, 2025

Andrew Joseph Griglak, Jr. passed away at age 86 at his home in Ellijay, GA in the early hours of January 3, 2025 surrounded by loving family. A native of Clifton, NJ he was the son of the late Andrew Joseph Griglak, Sr. and Joan Helen Griglak. Andy lived in NJ most of his life before moving to Cape Coral, Florida and finally Ellijay, where he lived with his daughter Julie and her family.

Andy graduated from Newark College of Engineering (now known as New Jersey Institute of Technology) and Fairleigh Dickinson University with degrees in Engineering. As an employee of Singer Kearfott in the 1960’s, he was part of a team that worked on the Lunar Descent Navigation and Guidance Systems for NASA. As such, his work touched most of the Apollo missions, but he was most proud of his work on the Apollo 11 mission that first landed a man on the moon. He loved to go visit “his” rocket at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC. He was an entrepreneur throughout his life owning several businesses throughout the years. He loved visiting the Edison and Ford Summer Estates in Ft. Myers, and Frank Sinatra.

Andy is survived by a sister: Joan Leaver of NJ; 5 children – Dolores Carter (Ronald) of Saxapahaw, NC; Julie Kepley of Ellijay, GA; Adam Griglak (Janell) of Manalapan, NJ; Brenda Kaufman (Gregory) of Cape Coral, FL; and Valerie Garrett (Troy) of Ft. Myers, FL. Twelve grandchildren: Alexandra, Matthew and Nicholas Carter; Harrison Wentworth (Olivia); Zachary and Tyler Kepley; Melissa Miller; Aaron and Emily Griglak; Kayla and Andrew Kaufman; and Colin Drum; one great-grandchild, Carter Laposta; and many extended family members. He remained good friends with his ex-wife, Patricia Wiley of Ft. Myers, FL until his death. 

The family wishes to thank all the loving hospice caretakers who assisted with his care during his final time on earth.

A private celebration of life will be held at a future date.