The Observation Deck

Goodbye Pete

Ralph "Pete" McGrew passed away this morning. He was a Lakewood resident and active in various Lakewood organizations since the 1950's.

Pete was wounded on Iwo Jima while serving with 2ND Battalion, 26th Marines and returned decades later to Iwo to partake in Memorial ceremonies. He was active in veterans organizations and was solely responsible for organizing a group of many Lakewood vets which met at the Coffee Pot for years. Pete was always willing to buy a returning Vet or new to the club breakfast.

I knew Pete when I was a kid, then later re-met him through Kiwanis where each week he would set up stuff to buy with Ron Lewis. The money would go to the Kiwanis Scholarship Fund.

Pete, you were loved by many and will be missed by all of us.


Semper Fidelis











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Thanks for sharing that Jim. I received the following tonight-

Calling Hours from 2-4 and 7-9 On Tues.
Funeral Service 10:00 a.m. on Wed. at funeral home.

Brinkman-Dress Funeral Home
13443 Detroit Ave.
216-226-5700

Pete McGrew was a dear friend to many who often heard him speak of his love for his late wife June and his daughters Laura and Bonnie. Condolences to Pete's daughters and their families.

Pete was a proud Marine Corps veteran. He was trained as a paratrooper and then assigned to Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines.

He served with F/2/26 during the battle of Iwo Jima and earned decorations. He downplayed his experience and explained he was blessed to be one of only 44 members the 258 man Fox Company to walk off the island unassisted. He then served on Kyushu Island during the early occupation of Japan.

Pete was raised in Lancaster, Ohio. He enjoyed a long, successful career with the Woolworth Company in the Cleveland area. He later ran his own variety store in Lakewood.

Pete devoted hundreds of volunteer hours to Kiwanis and veterans organizations.

He participated in 2/26 national reunions and traveled to Iwo Jima for the 50th and 60th memorial ceremonies honoring the 26,000 Marine and Navy casualties. Pete was interviewed by the media after the publication of Bradley's "Faith of Our Fathers" and the movie version thereof.

Pete often wore a cap and jacket with the Marine Corps emblem. His vehicle could easily be spotted by his license plate: F 226 IWO. Pete explained the purpose of these displays was to encourage Americans to be cognizant of our proud history and the ongoing sacrifices of the armed forces of our nation. For this same reason Pete, along with fellow veterans, took time every year to visit with students, teachers, and other groups.

Every spring Pete participated in the solemn joint Lakewood - Rocky River Memorial Day Ceremony held at Lakewood Cemetery. There he will forever lie in rest. Our dear friend, Semper Fi!

They broke the mold after Pete came along. People like to throw the term "great" around but in his case it was a description well designated.

He was a great family man, a great American, a great Browns fan, the quintessential Lakewoodite, and I'm proud to say that he was a great neighbor of mine for many years.

I'll always remember the sight of him every morning without fail, raising the American and the Marine flags and then taking then down every evening.

He will be missed.

Scott MacGregor

I too, would like to add a friendly word about the passing of Pete McGrew.
I met him through a friend about 13 years ago, and always knew him to be a kind man and a good friend.
He will be sadly missed.
RIP, Peepaw.

A 21 gun salute for Ralph "Pete" McGrew, waited for him at Lakewood Cemetary.

Friend and fellow Kiwanian Mr John Brinkman, provided a beautiful and touching service. Not a dry eye in the place.

Thank you Mr. Brinkman.


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