Donald Grieshober

Donald W. Grieshober, age 84, of Edinboro, loving family man and prominent attorney of 49 years, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 5, 2016, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Erie, on October 26, 1931, a son of the late William and Florence Bookspan Grieshober-Perry. Don was born blue, and his father game him a blood transfusion, thus giving him what Don would always remember as “the greatest gift of all; the gift of life”.

Don was a precocious child, learning to read at the age of three, and throughout his life he was rarely seen without a book in his hand. He especially loved mysteries.

He attended Gannon University for his Bachelor of Arts degree, and went on to study law at Villanova Law School. He graduated in 1956 with the first graduating class ever. He began his law career in 1957, with the late, great litigator John A. Blackmore, and they practiced together until Blackmore’s death in 1976. Throughout his successful career, Don focused mainly on Divorce and Family Law, and won many cases, until his retirement in 2006.

In addition to practicing law, Don had many varied interests and hobbies. At the age of eleven, he worked as a pinsetter in a bowling alley and fell in love with the game. He became a championship bowler, traveling all over the United States. Some of his fondest memories are those times spent with his friends at the lanes. In addition to bowling, Don also loved to golf and play tennis. He enjoyed attending craft shows and Native American Pow Wows with his wife Joy, and seeing movies alone, or in the company of his daughters and son, and grandchildren.

Don always had an opinion. He wrote hundreds of letters to the editor of the Erie Times News over the years, mostly on politics and social issues. He once wrote a letter to the editor about the unfortunate problem of soggy cereal. This letter, as well as all the other unpublished and published ones, has been archived in his book “Opinions of a Non-Politician”. After his retirement, Don began writing passionately, and self-published ten books of literary short stories, essays, and children stories. He was also a member of various writing, reading, and discussion groups.

His most admirable qualities were undoubtedly his wild sense of humor, his brilliant mind, and his incredible thoughtfulness and generosity, always willing to help his family, friends, and acquaintances. He was a wonderful husband who bought flowers for his wife randomly, as well as a doting and encouraging father and grandfather.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Sam Perry.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Joy Showman Grieshober; three children: Holly (Tom) Wellington, John Albrecht and Taylor Grieshober; three grandchildren: Elijah, Edy, and Simon Wellington; a sister, Joyce Groshans, and three brothers: Ken (Linda) Perry, Bill (Shelly) Grieshober, and David (Cindy) Grieshober.

He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and colleagues, and surely all who crossed paths with him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Edinboro Branch Library, 413 W. Plum St., Edinboro, PA 16412, where Don was a regular fixture.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Burton Funeral Home and Crematory, 602 W. 10th. St., Erie, PA 16502. Condolences may be sent to www.Burtonfuneralhomes.com.