James J. Grillo

James “Jimmy” Grillo, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on September 30th, 2024, at Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born on September 18th, 1942 to Hudson Police Officer Alfred and his wife Mary Grillo of Hudson. He married his wife, Mary Anne Mayes, also of Hudson where they raised their family and resided together for over 58 years.

Jim attended Hudson Public Schools, where he played high school football and hockey until he graduated in 1960. He then went on to attend Worcester Industrial Technical Institute, graduating in 1962. He was a proud member of the Massachusetts National Guard Yankee Division, serving from March, 1964 to 1970.

During his lifetime, Jim had several jobs all related to his passion for cars, starting as an auto mechanic at Durand Chevrolet and continuing as a store manager at General Automotive Supply in Hudson, where he worked for 23 years. He then worked for Filko Automotive, CarStar Collision Center and worked part-time for AAA in Marlboro – a job he truly enjoyed, as meeting and talking with people was something he loved to do.

Jim leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Mary Anne, his daughter Shelly Keene and her husband Chris of Shrewsbury and his son Peter Grillo and his wife Kristen of Hopedale. He will be fondly remembered by his grandchildren, Justin and Maggie Keene and Kelsey and Ricky Grillo. He is survived by his sister, Cindy Kolb of CA and was predeceased by his parents, Alfred and Mary Grillo, and his younger brother Richard, of Hudson.

Jim had a lifetime passion for hot rods and old cars. He took great pleasure in restoring and working on his 1929 Ford Roaster and his 1947 Plymouth Coupe. He was a member of the Roller Tappets Car Club, the Maynard Area Auto Club and the Push Rods Car Club and enjoyed many car events and car shows.

With his wife Mary Anne, Jim loved to travel and visit historic places in the New England area along with Gettysburg, PA, Washington DC and New York City. They traveled the East Coast, visited Florida and spent time in Nova Scotia, Montreal and Quebec City. They also visited the Caribbean Islands and Bermuda but one of their favorite trips was a month-long journey along Route 66.

In addition to enjoying cars and traveling, Jim was a youth hockey coach in Hudson for 17 years and for the Star Hawks hockey program in Northboro. His favorite hobbies were spending time with family and going to his grandson Ricky’s hockey games.

Visitation will be held at Tighe Hamilton Regional Funeral Home, 50 Central St, Hudson, MA, on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Saint Michael Church, 21 Manning St, Hudson, MA on October 10, 2024, at 10:00 AM. Burial will be private with the immediate family at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute at (Donate Here)