Francis A. “Bucky” Grimm, Jr, born February 16, 1943 died on December 26^th at the Monmouth Medical Center.

Mr. Grimm lived most of his life in Long Branch. He graduated from Long Branch Senior High School in 1961 and then attended Upsala College in 1962. After becoming a bank teller at New Jersey National Bank in Deal, Mr. Grimm enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1964 and served as an Air Police K-9 Officer. He served in Vietnam at Da Nang Air Base in K-9 Security in 1966-67, he was honorably discharged from active duty in 1968.

In 1968 he began working on the New York & Long Branch Railroad as a tower man, joining the International Brotherhood of Railway, Airline & Steamship Clerks Union and served in the local as the Recording, Financial, Secretary, and Treasurer for 5 years.

In 1975 he became a Volunteer Fireman, joining the Elberon Engine Co. of the Long Branch Fire Department. He served as Captain in 1980 and 1984. In 1980 he was awarded the Golden Helmet Award as the outstanding student from the L.B.F.D. Training division. In 1991 he became Secretary of Elberon Engine Co. serving until December 2010. He also served as Secretary of the Trustees of the L.B.F.D. Fireman’s Relief Assoc. from 2003 until 2010.

In 1983 he became a Federal Firefighter at Fort Monmouth and served as the Secretary of Local F103 for 5 years. He retired from the Department as a Driver/Operator in 2003. After retiring from the Fire Dept. He became a member of the Emerald Society of Monmouth County.

Bucky was a Life Member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 12 in Monmouth County and served as a member of the Board of Trustees. He was an active member of the VFW Post 2140, Long Branch. In 2000, Mr. Grimm helped found the United States War Dog Association and served as the Association’s Treasurer. The U.S. Was Dog Association raised, $100,000.00 by 2006 and dedicated the War Dog Memorial at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Holmdel.

For many years Bucky operated the Glenwood Cemetery, where he spent countless hours caring for the property. He loved to eat seafood and enjoyed many nice meals at Rooney’s, Bahr’s, Sitting Duck and Nunzio’s restaurants, his favorite meal was always Salmon and his favorite dessert was ice cream. He was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and was a season ticket holder for the New Jersey Devils.

Bucky loved music, following Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles, Stevie Nicks and Allison Kraus.

He was pre-deceased by his parents Francis A. “Bucky” Grimm, Sr. And Ella S. Grimm; his brother Tod D. Grimm and his sister Ella E. Boyington.

Bucky is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lenore Townsend Grimm; their children, Paul and his wife Susan Grimm, West Long Branch and Melissa and her husband Omar Hernandez, Long Branch; his brothers, Noah and wife Lori Grimm, and William Grimm; five grandchildren, Barbara, Parker, Ella, Sophia and Oliver.

Visitation Thursday January 2^nd, 4 until 7 pm at the Woolley-Boglioli Funeral Home, 10 Morrell Street, Long Branch. Funeral services Friday, January 3^rd, 11 am at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Glenwood Cemetery, West Long Branch.