Memories of John "El mono" David Grillo

In memory of

John "El mono" David Grillo

Indianapolis, IN

March 7, 1953 - June 15, 2021

Mar 7, 1953 - Jun 15, 2021

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Beltran Lares

en casa de Mayu

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Comments:

Beltran Lares

Deivi y la Nena compartían un buen humor casi siempre... ... Read more Deivi y la Nena compartían un buen humor casi siempre... Su recuerdo ... Read more Deivi y la Nena compartían un buen humor casi siempre...... Read more

Beltran Lares

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Bobby Kunnath

I still think of Papa G often, and the fun times we had at LMS.

RIP amigo.

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Comments:

Beltran Lares

Deivi siempre jodiendo y con buen humor... Deivi siempre jodiendo y con buen humor... Deivi siempre jodiendo y con buen humor...

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JONATHAN MAXIM

THIS JUST BROKE MY HEART 💔

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Margaret Higgs

I'm glad this reminderof him popped up today as it reminded me of what a good man he was and how my teachers and students loved him.

Principal at IPS Rousseau McClellan School 91

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Beltran Lares

Hoy, aniversario de tu cumpeaños, te recuerdo y extraño. Dondequiera que estés te abrazo fuerte hermano del alma

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Matt Casey

It’s been so long since I worked with “Papa” at Clary MS and at Lincoln MS in Syracuse, NY. He and I always stayed in contact with each other, even if it was a little text once or twice a year. We lost our connection during the pandemic, but this still hurts!

Papa was one of the most genuine, intelligent and caring people god put on this earth!

I remember his jokes that were hilarious because they would be translated so poorly to English that he’d have to explain them. Once he explained them they were not only funny, but usually had some significant depth to them.

He was always positive and encouraging! From the advice he’d give me, to the love he’d show his students and friends… I viewed him as family.

I hurts to find out that he’s moved on, but I know he’s in a better place telling amazing jokes!

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Tarabita del Molino

2019, Yucatan, Mexico

Momento inolvidables — with John David Grillo

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Juan Trujillo

Susana Szlezinger

Tarabita del Molino

2021, Indianapolis, IN, USA

Daily walk. I am missing your company. — with John David "Deivi" Grillo

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Juan Trujillo

Comments:

Becky Burton

Ana, My heart is still breaking for you <3 Ana, My heart is still breaking for you <3 Ana, My heart is still breaking for you <3

Susana Szlezinger

I can hear him saying : a flower among flowers! I can hear him saying : a flower among flowers! I can hear him saying : a flower among flowers!

Karen Dean

Ana, I just learned about your family losses today. I am so very sorry for you and your family. Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

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Tracee Garzon-Beroza

It has taken me a while to write this because I thought that maybe with time I would somehow be able to find the perfect words to be a tribute to my querido amigo David and to possibly make some sense out of something that still feels so senseless to me in my heart. I believe that for everyone who has posted here, and especially David's family, it's hard to imagine a world without David in it. It brings tears to my eyes every single time I try.
David and Anna came into my life when we lived in Syracuse and at a time when I was struggling. I somehow believe the universe sent them to me for the sole reason that it was impossible to ever feel sad in David's presence. The truth is, I'm convinced David's gift to the world was how he made others feel. All these wonderful memories everyone has written share the same thing: David made them laugh, made them smile, made them feel like an instant close friend, made them feel special. He made us all feel happy just by being who he was. It's hard to put into words, but if you knew David, then you know just what that feeling is that I'm talking about. I don't think as long as I Iive that I'll ever forget the sound of David's laugh or his voice and the exact way he'd say "Hoooooooola Teresita" every time he greeted me.
One of the most special things David gave me personally was that he taught me how to make real Pan de Jamon, a traditional plato navideno in Venezuela. And when I say taught, I mean he came to my house and we made one together as he walked me through it. I've been making that Pan de Jamon for a decade now (my Venezuelan friends look forward to it every year) and I smile every time I make it thinking of how proud David would be of me. I will continue this ritual as always but now it will have an even more important meaning to me as my way to honor him. I will remind my girls each year that "Tio Grillo" taught me how to make it and will pass the recipe to them one day so that they can make it for their friends and family too.
I feel very fortunate that my last memory of David was one of the most wonderful ones I could ever ask for. Although he hadn't ever met my girls in person, we arranged a FaceTime. The girls (ages 7 and 4 at the time) eagerly asked Anna and David, "Do you want to see our dolls?" to which they immediately responded, "Of course!" As the girls started to put all their dolls on camera, David said, "Hey, do you want to see my dolls?" to which David began drawing faces on all the fruit he had in the house and putting it on camera for the girls to see! They thought it was the funniest thing they'd ever seen. The thing about David was that he loved all people, but he definitely had the most special place in his heart for children.
We have the expression in English "Gone, but not forgotten" and I feel like now I finally really understand it. David's personality was larger than life - so large, in fact, that we don’t have to imagine the world without him – because we all have unique memories of David that will live on in our hearts forever, whether we knew him briefly or our entire lives. They are memories that even through our tears, will always make us smile and laugh in a way that only David could. I hope this is what he would want us all to do when we think of him. Thank you, dear friend, for these beautiful gifts you have given us just by being you.
XOXO Teresita

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Valentina Grillo-Alvarado

Comments:

Ana Grillo

Thank you, Tracee (Teresita). Deivi loved and treasured you. Next time we meet I hope it will be sharing ... Read more Thank you, Tracee (Teresita). Deivi loved and treasured you. Next time we meet I hope it will be sharing your pan de jamón. <3... Read more Thank you, Tracee (Teresita). Deivi loved and treasured... Read more

Nicole Cruz

Shared a heart

Nicole Cruz

I worked with John for two years at Tech. Everyone loved his happiness and jokes. He touched so many lives and will be missed so very much. He talked about his children with so much pride, whipping out pictures to show us his children and grandchildren. His daughter was the apple of his eye. My deepest condolences to his family and wife.

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Margaret Higgs

2012

I was the lucky person who was able to hire John when he was looking for a position in IPS. I hired him as a classroom assistant at Rousseau McClellan School 91. He was wonderful with the students in the class and gave his all to them everyday. He was so friendly with everyone he met at school and would make them feel welcome. I am so sorry to hear this news as we became friends and would talk regularly. My condolences go to all of his family. He was a wonderful man.

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Crystal Adams

2014, Rousseau McClellan 91, Evanston Avenue, Indianapolis, IN, USA

Ice Challege

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Amanda Myers

Comments:

Crystal Adams

Mr. Grillo and me started together in 2012 in Room 211. He was ever so funny and the students and I loved... Read more Mr. Grillo and me started together in 2012 in Room 211. He was ever so funny and the students and I loved him and his heart. There... Read more Mr. Grillo and me started together in 2012 in Room ... Read more

Amanda Myers

Crystal Adams

Codi Russell

Amanda Myers

Mr. Grillo was one in a million. He worked in my classroom with me for 2 years and was a very special part of our team. He had so much love for the students in our class. A fond memory is how much he loved to sneak them special treats throughout the day from his pockets just to make them smile. He was definitely one of their favorite teachers. There wasn’t a day he didn’t talk about his family- we were filled with many wonderful stories. He was so proud of his kids/grandkids and adored his wife tremendously. He had a special place in my daughter’s heart as well as he would magically pull coins from her ears and fill her tummy with candy. He filled our classroom with laughter and our hearts with love. I’m am incredibly sorry for your loss- my heart is broken. He will never be forgotten at Rousseau McClellan school 91. Praying for peace and comfort for your family.

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Codi Russell

Valentina Grillo-Alvarado

Codi Russell

A wonderful teacher and friend.

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Crystal Adams

Amanda Myers

Armando Tandy

Hoy me he enterado de esta terrible noticia, trabajé poco tiempo con Mr. Grillo, pero en este poco tiempo, lo consideré como un buen amigo, sonriente, chistoso, siempre haciendo chistes.
Pensé que estaba de vacaciones por el receso escolar, ya que no me respondia mis mensajes, lo que menos me imaginaba es que el ya había partido.
Mi mas sentido pésame para toda su familia.
Mr. Grillo, quedamos pendientes en tomarnos esa cervecita!

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Juana Hernández

I had just met Don Grillo at my job and let me tell you guys he was such a funny person always giggles he would be so lost at the new school and I would always tell him “ahii Don Grillo a donde va “ Im so lost for words you Can meet someone in such a short period of time you will be truly missed !

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Armando Tandy

Jamie Belmont

Ana, I am so very sorry for your loss. I am thinking about you and sending love and healing prayers your way!

Jamie Belmont

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Susana Szlezinger Diaz

I wrote the following a while ago but have had no strength to post it, and even now, I don’t want to press submit as if that would in anyway change what happened… but I guess I should say good bye somehow: I do not want to miss Deivi, I do not want to think every time I see something unusual in nature or in the supermarket, that I want to mention it to him next time I speak with him. I do not want to expect a funny and loud voice message from him… I do not want all that but I find myself doing it more and more. Deivi El Pelon was one of my brothers (not just my brother in law) and he was also my friend and my guide for many years. He has given me support and encouragement.

As little hair was left his head, as little hair was ever on his tong… as we would say in Spanish when people speak their mind or carry their heart in their selves… that was Deivi… transparent and open: it was easy to know what he was thinking and what he was feeling because he will always tell you, plain and simple, straight forward.

I used to kiss him on his forehead for as long as I remember… it never had too much hair on it… for as long as I remember too.

He was actively present throughout my childhood. When I was little, It was always exciting to learn that Deivi was coming over to visit us because I knew he would bring fun and laughter and he would play magic tricks for me with a coin or try to make me think he lost one of his fingers or his nose. Above all, he would always make me feel really special. I think he enjoyed the magic tricks and games as much as I did and he would still play them to my boys whenever he had the opportunity to see them.

When I had Luca, Deivi told me that one of his favourite places to kiss a baby was in the middle of their eyes, where the nose starts… and I adopted it as a practice! He was right! That’s where he used to kiss baby Sara!

El tío naughty, as my boys would call him, always tried to have an active part in my boys' lives and completely won their hearts . He would send them funny voice messages or videos or even post cards with pocket money . I feel so sad that my boys did not manage to know him better, to share more time with him. I was tempted so many times to buy him a ticket and get him over here… I wish I had done it!

Since he left, I have tried to celebrate his life anyway I could … through food, drinks, dance, music and joy but I still feel deeply sad because his absence has left a hole in my week. I miss catching up with him, laughing and swearing , finding amusement and joy in small things. I am already missing you Cuña. I love you very much… that you knew as much as I knew that you loved me.
Susy

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Rebecca Burton

Ana, There are no adequate words. My heart breaks for you ❤️ Becky

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Deb Isom

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Ana Coronado

Comments:

Ana Coronado

Mi corazón está apretado. Tengo la dicha de ser amiga de Ana y haber conocido a Deivi gracias a mis múltiples... Read more Mi corazón está apretado. Tengo la dicha de ser amiga de Ana y haber conocido a Deivi gracias a mis múltiples viajes a Indianápolis.... Read more Mi corazón está apretado. Tengo la dicha de ser amiga... Read more

Beltran Lares

Deivi era mi hermano de la vida, mi compadre, cuñado y "socio". Un hombre con quién nunca tuve una discusión o una pelea que nos distanciara a pesar de saber ambos que pensábamos diferente en algunos asuntos de la vida. Me enseñó lo que era en la práctica, sin aspavientos ni pretensiones, lo que significa ser un amigo fiel. Una tristeza profunda se apoderó de mí desde que supe su trágica muerte y sólo recordar y ver en fotos su sonrisa sincera y amable me alivia un poco. Hace poco días lo soñé volando a las estrellas tomado de la mano de Mia con su sonrisa de siempre...

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