SIGNAL   MOUNTAIN, Tenn..—Deacon Simon “Cy” Grossmayer, 94, formerly of Algonquin, died July 9, 2022, at Alexian Village in Signal Mountain, Tenn..

 

Deacon Grossmayer was born March 28, 1928, in Haymarsh, N.D., to Nickolas and Katharina Grossmayer. He was the ninth of ten children. 

 

Elaine, his wife of 40 years, died Sept. 7, 1988. He married Ann Reinhart on Nov. 4, 1989.

 

Deacon Grossmayer worked for Jewel T Company, later J.T.’s General Store, as Warehouse Operations Manager for 32 years. He was a member of St Margaret Mary Parish in Algonquin for 57 years and a deacon for the Diocese of Rockford for 16 years. He was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus.

 

For over 60 years, his ministry was visiting the sick. After his ordination, April 27, 1996, his ministry was mainly directed to helping the terminally ill and their families. Deacon Grossmayer also did “Grief Recovery Programs” for those who lost a loved one. 

 

In April of 2012, he retired as an active deacon in the Rockford Diocese and moved to Florida. In October of 2016, he and Ann moved to a Life Care Facility, Alexian Village of Tennessee. 

 

In March of 2017, Bishop Stika, Bishop of the Knoxville Tennessee Diocese, gave him faculties, as a retired active deacon, for the Diocese of Knoxville. He was assigned to St. Augustine Church and Alexian Village of Tennessee, in Signal Mountain.

 

Even though he was an active deacon in the Diocese of Knoxville, he was never incardinated into the diocese. He remained a deacon in the Rockford Diocese with St Margaret Mary, his home parish.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings; his 20-year-old daughter, Sandra Mary Mattingly; and his wife Elaine.  

 

Deacon Grossmayer is survived by his wife Ann; two sons, Simon Jr. (Gail) of Crystal Lake; James (Doreen Freund) of McHenry; three daughters, Debra Ann Byrne (Martin) of Marengo; Maria Renee Olsen, of Marengo; and Nora Jan Mangano (Larry) of Fishers, Ind. 

 

He is also survived by two step-daughters, Rebecca Reinhart (Rickey George, Sr.) of Mobile, AL. and Sarah Silbergleid (Steve) of Naperville. Deacon Grossmayer was blessed with 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, one step-granddaughter and one step-grandson.

 

The visitation and funeral Mass were held July 12 in St. Augustine Chapel. Burial will take place at a later date in St. John’s Cemetery, Fox River Grove, IL.