DELRAY BEACH — Fish market and restaurant owner Robert “Bob” Griek died Aug. 6. He was 86.
Born in Long Island, New York, on Sept. 24, 1936, to Nicholas and Nellie Van Essendelft Griek, he had two sisters — Betty Atherton, his twin, and Marilyn Carraretto.
Mr. Griek joined the Navy in 1953. After four years in the service, he was part of a team that figured out how to artificially inseminate oysters, clams and other bivalves.
In 1960 he moved to Delray Beach with his parents and sisters and opened a retail fish market named Delray Seafoods.
In 1961 he married his dream girl, Moreva Chalaire. They bought property in Cashiers, North Carolina, in the early 1980s and built their vacation home on 23 acres.
They also opened a restaurant in the next town, called Highlands Seafood and Smokehouse, which he ran for many years. The restaurant, although not owned by the family, is still in business today.
The family ran the fish market together for 48 years until retirement in 2008.
Mr. Griek was a fixture in Delray Beach for over 50 years. He was a great storyteller and a real jokester, as all his customers would know when they went into the market. He was well-known around town with his big smile, bright blue eyes and dark tan, and made friends wherever he went.
Mr. Griek was also a man of Christian faith, kind, happy and always helping strangers when they needed it most.
He is survived by Moreva, his sister Marilyn, his children Amanda and Christopher, five grandchildren — Savanna, Luke, Kaitlyn, Kylie and Payton, who adored him as “Poppy” — as well as nieces and nephews.
Above and Beyond Community in Boca Raton hosted a celebration of life on Aug. 24. Lorne and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Donations in Mr. Griek’s name are suggested at ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or online at https://raise.stjude.org/RobertGriek.
— Obituary submitted by the family
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