Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Obituaries, Weddings & Births

Mark Grusauski, passionate aviator, dies at 63

KENT—Mark Joseph Grusauski, beloved husband and loyal friend, passed away on December 15, 2024, at the age of 63. Born on July 29, 1961, to Mary (Harz) and John Grusauski, Mark’s adventurous spirit and passion for discovery defined his life.

Mark Grusauski, passionate aviator, has died at age 63. Photo contributed

Mark grew up in Kent, graduating from Kent Center School and Oliver Wolcott Technical High School. His love of aviation began in high school when he built a hang glider in his parents’ basement and taught himself how to fly.

At 18, he purchased a 1941 Piper J3 Cub and earned his private pilot license. His training continued through the Florida Institute of Technology Flight School, where he earned seaplane, commercial, instrument, and multi-engine ratings.

Over the course of 45 years, Mark owned and restored many types of airplanes, logging thousands of hours in the sky. His flying adventures included scouting forests for lumber, ferrying planes between sellers and buyers, exploring and sightseeing from coast to coast of the United States, splashing down on pristine lakes, barnstorming across grass strips, hay lots and cornfields, and whisking his wife, Laurie, away on spontaneous excursions. 

Most importantly, Mark shared the joy of aviation with anyone who would climb into the cockpit with him.

Mark’s first true professional experience was at Ewald Instruments, where he honed his skills in precision miniature welding and machine work, marking the beginning of a career of technical excellence. He also worked with his father and brother in the family business, G&G Builders, renovating and building fine homes. 

When his wanderlust took him to Michigan, his expertise in carpentry and his love of flying led him to work restoring the historic Mackinac Island Grand Hotel and towing banners over Lake Michigan and the Pontiac Silverdome. 

Upon returning to Connecticut, Mark channeled his passion for restoration into a successful business by founding Wingworks at the North Canaan Airport, a venture that spanned 20 years. Through Wingworks, he restored numerous iconic aircraft, including the 1999 Oshkosh Reserve Grand Champion 1943 Howard DGA, and the 2003 Oshkosh Bronze Lindy-winning 1935 Waco YKC (currently in the New England Air Museum’s collection). 

His impeccable craftsmanship, attention to detail, flawless paint jobs and precision metal fabrication earned him admiration throughout the aviation community. In 2002 he received the FAA’s New England Region Aviation Technician of the Year Award. He was truly a “Jack-of-all-Trades, Master-of-Most.”

Mark and Laurie Hammond met in 1994 and married in 2001. Mark designed the home that they built in Salisbury, and the many unique details are a testament to his creativity and artistry.

Beyond his skill as a pilot and craftsman, Mark was a talented banjo player and avid telemark skier. His hobbies and innovative spirit led him to endeavors with guitar building, custom ski production and inventions such as the “Kanga” powder-simulator ski boot and a chainsaw-powered margarita blender.

Mark is survived by his wife, Laurie (Hammond) Grusauski of Salisbury; his brother and sister-in-law, David and Stephanie Grusauski, of South Kent; his nephews and nieces, John, Tucker, and Sadie Grusauski; Brian, Josh and Sterling Bishop; Jace and Griffin Tomaino; Drew and Abby Vernali; Colton Conlogue; and his dear aunt Margaret (Grusauski) Wilson. He was predeceased by his sister, Karen Bishop.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Salisbury Winter Sports Association or the Salisbury Visiting Nurse Association in Mark’s memory.

A celebration of Mark’s life will be held Saturday, Jan. 4, from 1 to 4 p.m., at Candlelight Farms Airport, 5 Green Pond Rd., New Milford.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe

Sign up to receive email updates including a “Dispatch Digest” each week.

*

Upcoming Events

Dismissal

You May Also Like

Opinions

Finding the right tree for the Christmas holidays takes patience, persistence and many more than 10,000 steps. A recent Sunday journey to do just...

Local

KENT—The Gingerbread Festival is back, bringing holiday cheer and the irresistible scent of gingerbread to town. Participating businesses are displaying 13 imaginative gingerbread creations...

Featured

KENT – The Kent Quilters, a local community quilting group, met Friday evening, Dec. 13, for their holiday potluck, and to celebrate their year-long...

News From Nearby Towns

NEW PRESTON—Writer Dani Shapiro and painter Laura Karetzky will discuss the creative process, approaches to storytelling, and the themes that drive their work Saturday,...

Local

KENT—St. Andrew’s Church has announced its holiday services. There will be Holy Communion with music at 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve followed by Christmas...

Local

KENT—The Kent Memorial Library will help families fill the free hours that youngsters will have during the winter school recess with a variety of...

Featured

KENT—The issue of whether the town will install automatic traffic speed enforcement cameras on the approaches to the community will be taken to referendum...

Featured

KENT—Park and Recreation Commission members recently had a fruitful session when they reviewed potential activities that could be offered to the town. Ideas flowed...