Obituary – Joel Grotzinger
Joel Grotzinger, age 65, passed away at his home in Manitou Springs, CO on June 15, 2023. He was surrounded and supported by his wife Marjorie, his sons Andrew and Neil, Andrew’s wife Chelsea and his stepchildren Jessica and Stephen. Joel had valiantly battled advanced prostate cancer for four years.
Joel often spoke fondly of the town of Renovo, PA, where he was raised by his parents Joseph Grotzinger (deceased) and Barbara (Miller) Grotzinger (deceased). He was one of seven brothers: Mike (deceased), Steve, John, Tim, Dan and Marty. The Susquehanna River flowed alongside their backyard, so they grew up swimming, rafting, camping and sledding there.
Joel was first introduced to computers at Bucktail High School, and found them fascinating. He went on to receive his degree from Erie Business College where he was valedictorian. He was a talented programmer who went on to work for such companies as Advacom and Logical MiniComputers in Erie, and Dynamic Concepts out of California after that.
His first marriage was to Tracy Zieg with whom he had his two sons. Andrew and his wife Chelsea have both earned their PhDs in psychology and are professors at Colorado University at Boulder. Neil reside in Brooklyn, N.Y. and is a fashion designer and teaches at Parsons’ School of Design. Joel loved them all so very much and took every opportunity to brag about them because he was so proud.
After his divorce, Joel moved from Monument, CO to Manitou Springs, CO in 2010. That is also when he met Marjorie Somers at a Wine Festival. They became life partners soon after and made it official in July of 2019. They shared so much love and laughter, and just plain fun! In 2022 they were even King and Queen of Manitou Springs Carnivale (Mardi Gras) Parade. Joel was a kind, supportive stepfather to Marjorie’s adult children, Jessica and Stephen, and a wonderful “Grand Poo-Pah”(self-titled) to Ava, Iyla and Brynn.
Joel loved being a part of his community and giving back. While in Monument he was a member of Sertoma, and after his move a member of Manitou Kiwanis. To this day, Kiwanis members still say that the year Joel was president was the most unpredictable and fun year that they can remember! He also started and ran the St. Patrick’s dinner that was held at City Hall for many years. That yearly dinner raised thousands of dollars for tetanus immunizations of women and babies in Africa that saved many lives.
He will be missed by his many friends. His goal was to bring them joy and to make them feel special. He kept in touch with old friends and loved to throw costume/karaoke parties for the newer friends.
