Edward William Grier

Edward William Grier, 89, of Massillon, passed away on December 9, 2022, following an extended illness.

He was born on November 9, 1933 in Massillon.

Edward was a 1951 graduate of Washington High School and received his BA in Sociology from Kent State University. He was a veteran of The United States Air Force. He joined the Massillon Police Department as one of the first three black officers. From 1970-1975 he served in many capacities for the City of Massillon and in 1977 he became the EEO Director, where he served until his retirement.

Ed was involved in the civil rights movement most of his life. He was past president of the Urban League and the NAACP in the late 60's. He was very active throughout the communities of Massillon and Canton serving as: Member of the committee writing the book "The Story of Massillon, Wheat, Glass, Stone and Steel" in 1976, Parks and Recreation Board, SARTA Board, CTCC Board, SCCAA Board, Mayor's Diversity Committee, Zoning Board of Appeals, past member of the Massillon Tiger Football Boosters, past president Concerned Citizens Group, treasurer of the Tiger Benchwarmers Booster, Host of the "Minority Report with Ed Grier" on Massillon Cable TV and Massillon Magazine Program, Democratic Precinct Committee person for Ward 4 and Trustee Board at St. James AME Zion Church, where he served as president of the board for over 30 years.

He was recognized for his accomplishments with the following awards: Community Service Awards from the Massillon Branch of the NAACP (1975), Stark County Community Action Agency (1982), The Boys and Girls Club (1994), George Blue Award for Tri-State Council IBPOE (2005), Mayor Kathy Catazarro-Perry (2015), and Minnie Traylor, Massillon Urban League Award (2000); Community Treatment and Corrections Award for Excellence (1996 and 1999), Appreciation Award for years of dedicated service to St. James AME Zion Church (2010), Federated Democratic Women of Summit County, Civil Right Pioneer Lifetime Award, Certificate of Appreciation from the Monroe Community Family Center (2015), Outstanding Longevity of Service Award from ABCD (2017), The outstanding Community Service and Ground Breaker Award from The Massillon Tiger Benchwarmers Booster Club (2020) and was inducted into the Distinguished Citizens of Massillon (2021).

Edward is survived by his loving wife, Judith (Nightingale) Grier; children, Karen Grier, Kathryn (Grier) Howard, Andrew Grier, Michele O'Connor and Mary Quinlan; nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edward Grier; mother, Wilma (Robinson) Grier-Chandler; siblings, Raymond Grier and Loretta Grier-Russell.

Visitation will be held Thursday, December 15, 2022, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Paquelet Funeral Home, Massillon and on Friday, December 16, 2022 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am at the St. James AME Zion Church with a Home Going Celebration

starting at 11:00 am with Pastor LeCounte Nedab, officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery .

Memorials are suggested to the St. James AME Zion Church.

To leave a special message for the family online, please visit https://www.paquelet.com