Michael L. Grella 84 of South Yarmouth, MA died peacefully at his home Saturday October 23, 2021. 

A retired educator and school administrator, throughout his career, Michael taught English and Latin. He mentored countless faculty and staff as Head of School at educational institutions throughout the west, including Marin Country Day School, Saint Matthews Parish School, and Palm Valley School in California. He concluded his career at Thomas Academy in Seattle, WA.

Michael was born in Hempstead, NY. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1958 and was enrolled in the Army Language School in Monterrey, CA, where he studied Russian. He was deployed to Germany in 1959 and served his country intercepting and translating code. He was honorably discharged in 1964 with the rank of Specialist Fifth Class.

After the army, Michael enrolled at Kenyon College, where he majored in English Literature. His illustrious career took him from southern California to northern California and ultimately to Washington State.

Michael enjoyed the early years of his retirement, fly-fishing, reading, cooking, patronizing the arts, traveling, and studying Italian.

Michael will be remembered as a passionate and gifted mentor and teacher, a devoted father, and for his tremendous intellect, wit, and love of life.

He is survived by his daughters, Charity Grella and her husband, Michael Logan, Rachel Grella-Harding and her husband, Michael, and Alice Taylor and her husband, John Walker; a brother, George Grella; a sister, Geraldine Grella Liebla; and a granddaughter, Katherine Harding. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his second wife, Janet (Garrott) Grella.

Private funeral services will be held in Seattle, WA in the spring.

In recognition of Michael’s love of teaching, his family has requested that gifts in his memory be sent to Teach for America – Donations, P.O. Box 398305, San Francisco, CA 94139-8305. www.teachforamerica.org.

Mr. Grella had a great impact on me as my English teacher at Harbor Day School. I think of him often, as I know that my classmates do. He taught me to love words and writing. He made the dictionary interesting. Mr. Grella made a lasting impact.

Mike hired me as the First Grade Teacher at St. Matthew's in 1978 a week before school started, and I was absolutely thrilled having just moved from Virginia. He was the brilliant rock star of the school who demonstrated incredible intellect and expertise as the Headmaster. I felt blessed to be a member of his faculty, and I am certain all who worked with Mike over his long history in education would agree. Sending heartfelt blessings to his family at this time of sadness.

I am sending my deepest condolences to Mike's family. He was my first real mentor as an administrator in education and I learned so much from him. My years at Thomas Academy with Mike are my most memorable. It remains the time and place that I was happiest in my teaching career, where I found my passion, heart, and soul for the profession, that I still hold up to others as a comparison. Mike formed more than just a school community, but a family. I am sorry we lost touch in just a few years of Thomas's closing. I sometimes still drive by the old building to remember what we had. If possible, I would like to attend any services. Again, you have my deepest sympathies.

We are so sad to hear of your loss. Michael and Rick began their friendship as students at Chaminade High School in Mineola,NY. They continued to keep in touch over the years with visits to Seattle and occasional trips to New York and Long Island. They spent many hours talking on the phone and in later years recalling their fun times together, I speak for his buddy Rick who unfortunately is not well due to Parkinson’s but he was deeply saddened to hear of Mike’s passing. We loved him and will miss his phone calls. We will enjoy our memories.

We are so sorry for your loss. You are all in our prayers. R.I.P. Michael Grella. Warmly, The Angles Family