Franz Xaver Grunewald

Franz Xaver Grunewald was born on February 8th, 1903 in Frickenhausen. He died on October 23rd, 1985 in Ochsenfurt. He is the son of Wendel and Maria (Mandel) Grunewald of Frickenhausen.

The only story we know of from his childhood is a bit of a rough spot he got himself into with the local Catholic priest. For some reason the priest did not like him and would not give him communion..... He and another boy, in a mischievous childhood way, set a trap for the priest and when he opened the door .......

The photo of him below is during the time he spent in the German Army __________

He was a hard worker and he liked his wine, but he was not always a model husband or father.

He played a very active role in the city of Ochsenfurt. For 16 years he held a seat on the city council. He was also very instrumental in organizing the local Socialist Democratic Party (SPD) and the local worker's union. Franz, also, was appointed as a life-time juror on the Wurzburg Circuit Court. He worked for a large commercial construction company as a foreman overseeing local projects. Some of the projects that he was involved in building were the bridge over the Main River, the sugar factory ........ Because of his occupation he was awarded a special pass by the American Army at the end of World War II, giving him permission to come into the city, after curfew, in case of an emergency. 

A photo of him on a building project

 He loved to garden and always had a large garden, and when he retired he spent a lot of time puttering around in it. In this photo he is shelling peas.

He also tended to the roses that flanked the staircase in the front yard. 

Also, during his retirement he wrote his memoir entitled 'Rotlauf' which was later published after his death. His book was given to important visitors to Ochsenfurt by the mayor.

With age he mellowed. He learned how to cook and help around the home. He also loved a good glass of wine or two. Franz died, within months of his wife Rosa, prior to having surgery for an infection on his foot. He and Rosa are buried in the Ochsenfurt city cemetery.

He truly was the "last of the originals!"