HOLST-GRUBBE, Reidar Reidar Holst-Grubbe, 87 of Sharon, died Wednesday, (January 30, 2008) at Noble Horizons after a long illness. Reidar was born November 26, 1920 In Brooklyn, NY. He was the son of Norwegian immigrants Sigrid Jonassen Holst-Grubbe and Trygve Holst-Grubbe. Reidar spent his early years in Brooklyn and Elmont Long Island. Later moving to the Ellsworth section of Sharon. He attended the Ellsworth single room school house, the Sharon High School and was in the first graduating class of Housatonic Valley Regional High School, 1939. Reidar was a decorated United States Navy Veteran of World War II, assigned primarily to Destroyers from 1941 to 1947. He sailed throughout the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. He served during the invasion at D-Day, North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Normandy, and Okinawa. Convoy escort duty for Murmansk, North Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Pacific. He achieved the final rank of Chief Petty Officer. Reidar had been a carpenter, salesman, owner of Reidar Nail Company, salesman for Berkshire Homes, salesman/technician for Cole Ceramic Labs and most recently, the owner of Reidars and the distributor for A.D. Alpine ceramics equipment. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. He enjoyed painting, pottery, acting and singing. He was a long time member of Sharon's Singing Hollow Operetta Group. He had an especially green thumb in his garden, sharing his bountiful harvests with many friends and neighbors. Reidar was a lover of the great outdoors and being respectful of nature. Reidar was a very active member of the American Legion Post 126 in Sharon. He served in all capacities and officer positions. He was recognized by the Sate of Connecticut for his most rewarding work as the Post Adjutant, administrating the local Sailors', Soldiers' and Marines' Fund, a confidential fund designed to assist Connecticut war veterans during time of need. Reidar is survived by his wife, Miriam Manning Landis Holst-Grubbe of Sharon. Reidar had seven children: Christine Napolitan of Brooklyn, NY, Terry Waldron of Beaufort, SC, Patricia Catanzaro of Warwick, NY, George Holst-Grubbe of Sharon, David Holst-Grubbe of Torrington, Eileen Holst-Grubbe of Richmond, VA, Erik Holst-Grubbe of Middlebury; stepdaughter, Mimi Landis Babcock of Amenia, NY, and stepson, William Landis of New Canaan. Reidar had 15 grandchildren, six stepgrandchilren and six great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Reidar was predeceased by his first wife, Mary Wolcott Holst-Grubbe; sister, Ingeborg (Bola) Holst-Grubbe Anderson; brothers, Sven Holst-Grubbe, Tor Holst-Grubbe and Per Holst-Grubbe. Funeral will be held at St. Bernard Church, New Street Sharon, 1 p.m. Saturday, February 2. Visitation will be at the Kenny Funeral Home, Main Street, Sharon. Calling hours will be 6-8 p.m. Friday, February 1. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Hubert G. Klebes American Legion Post 126, Sharon. The family requests friends attending the memorial services, to dress in colorful attire to help celebrate Reidar's full life. -