Frank J. Gromer, 88; New Canaan Resident, Retired Advertising Executive

Frank J. Gromer of New Canaan died on Saturday, May 10, 2014. He was 88 years old and a resident of New Canaan for 59 years. 

The son of Frank and Mary Gromer, Frank was born on June 1, 1925 in New York City. After graduating from the Bronx High School of Science he joined the U.S. Army Air Force and saw service in New Guinea and the Philippines during World War II. 

Frank joined the advertising agency Foote, Cone & Belding in 1947 and spent his entire 40-year career with that company. Over the years he was research director, media director, director of marketing services, and chairman of the agency’s strategy board. He was a senior vice president and corporate director of media when he retired in 1986. 

Frank was active in many advertising and other organizations during his career. He was a founding member of the Media Directors’ Council and its first president. He served on the Media Policy Committee of the American Association of Advertising Agencies and was a member of the Radio and Television Research Council. He was a member of the board and on the executive committee of Advertising Information Services for over 20 years. 

In 1979, he was elected chairman of the board of the Advertising Research Foundation, an industry trade organization of over 400 members dedicated to furthering the principles and practices of advertising research nationwide. Frank was also a long-term member of the board of directors of JJI, a lighting conglomerate of more than ten companies in the U.S. and Europe. 

Frank was an active member of Saint Aloysius parish, serving over the years as lector, fund-raiser, and chairman of the rational planning committee of the Sisters of Notre Dame. He was a past member of Silver Spring Country Club and a member of the Senior Men’s Club of New Canaan. 

Frank is survived by a daughter, Ellen Schiavone, and her husband, Nicholas Schiavone, of Rye, New York; a daughter, Jeanne Gromer, and her husband, Thomas Smith, of Jamul, California; and a son, Paul Gromer, and his wife, Karen O’Toole, of Concord, Massachusetts; a daughter-in-law, Crystal Gromer, of San Francisco, California; and nine grandchildren, Paul, Thomas, and Elizabeth Schiavone; Luke, Patrick, William, and Mark Smith; and Andrew and Alexander Gromer. 

He was predeceased by his son, Mark Gromer, and by Carol, his beloved wife and source of strength for 52 years. 

His many friends say they will remember him for his quick wit and as someone you could count on for his many warm and lasting friendships. 

A funeral mass will be held at St. Aloysius Church in New Canaan, on Friday, May 16, at 10 a.m. followed by burial in Lakeview Cemetery, New Canaan. Friends may call at Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main St., New Canaan, on Thursday, May 15, between 4 and 8 p.m. 

Contributions in Frank’s memory may be made to the Mark F. Gromer Memorial Fund at Middlebury College.
 
For online condolences and directions visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com