Dell L. Grover

Dell Grover, age 87, of Ithaca passed away suddenly at his home on Friday, December 29, 2017. He was born in Ithaca, NY on June 22, 1930 to Paul & Lillian Grover. He graduated from Trumansburg HS, class of 1949 and from SUNY Cobleskill in 1951. In high school he was an all-star athlete in football, basketball & baseball. Dell was a star on the 1947 and 1949 six-man football championship teams. His nickname was "Rabbit" as he scored five touchdowns in one game. Dell played with many local sports legends of his era. At Cobleskill, he played basketball and baseball for legendary coach and Dean, Nick Iorio (All American Lacrosse, Hobart). Dell was an all-region catcher for SUNY Cobleskill. Many local athletes have stories of Dell over his 30 years of officiating football, basketball & baseball. As coach and mentor to many high school athletes he ran a CYO basketball invitational tournament after each season to help athletes develop their skills. In the 70s he was a board member of the Ithaca Youth Bureau. As an avid golfer he was1962 Hillendale Club Champion and one of the original stockholders of the Trumansburg Golf Club.

Dell was an entrepreneur and over the years owned and operated Bishop's Restaurant, Emma's Deli, Dell's Typewriter Shop in Collegetown, Grover Real Estate, and Cayuga Vista Condo Development. He was the regional sales representative for Olivetti-Underwood business machines and a partner in the Courtside Racket & Fitness Club.

Widely known for being the local exterminator you could count on, with his wife Emma, they ran A-Arrow Exterminators of Ithaca for over 40 years. Locals may remember their catchy slogan "when in a Delemma, call Dell or Emma!" He renamed the company AA-Arrow in 2013 and continued to work until his passing. Work and family always came first. Dell was a veteran having served in the U.S. Army Second Armored Division in Germany in 1952.

He was pre-deceased by his second wife, Emma Petricola-Grover, his first wife, Mary Grace Riela-Grover, and his sister, Dawn Marshall. He is survived by his son, Billy Grover, of Ithaca, his stepsons, William Reed of Ithaca and Robert Reed of Haines City, FL; his daughter, Rebecca Grover Kannus and his sister JoAnn Keith, both of Ithaca.

Dell's grandchildren include Mary Grace Grover, Jennifer Reed Klingensmith (Nick), Christopher Reed (Robbyn) and Darin and Rachel Kannus. He is survived by three great-grandchildren; Atticus and Stella Riela-Grover and Griffin Reed, as well as several nieces and nephews of the Keith, Marshall, Petricola, and Riela families.

Calling hours are at Bangs Funeral Home, Friday, January 19th from 4pm-6pm. There will be a Mass of the Resurrection Saturday, January 20th at Immaculate Conception Church at 10am with Father Augustine Chumo officiating. A reception, immediately following the Mass, will be held at the Boatyard Grill. Burial, with military honors, will take place in the spring at Calvary Cemetery.

All family, friends and former athletes who knew Dell are welcome to come share their stories.

Friday, January 19, 2018 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Bangs Funeral Home, Inc. 209 W Green St. Ithaca, New York 14850

Saturday, January 20, 2018 10:00 AM

Immaculate Conception Church 113 N. Geneva St. Ithaca, New York 14850