Douglas W. Grosso

NORTH VASSALBORO – Douglas, 71, of North Vassalboro, Maine, departed peacefully, surrounded by family, on Jan. 10, 2026, after a long battle with lupus and cancer.

Douglas was born on May 11, 1954, in Bronxville, NY, to Mary and Nicholas Grosso. He attended the Hasbrouck Heights school system in New Jersey and, from a young age, had an unquenchable thirst for learning—a trait that earned him the nickname The Little Professor. He carried that thirst for learning with him throughout his life. He graduated from William Paterson College with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

He married Maryann Curioni, whom he lovingly referred to as The Pizza Princess. Together they had three daughters, and in 1988 they moved their family from New Jersey to Maine.

Douglas was a jack of all trades and held many jobs throughout his life, including a short stint in the Army before being medically discharged. Most recently, and until he was forced to leave the workforce due to his diagnoses, he served as Chief Information Officer at Johnny’s Selected Seeds.

Douglas was highly involved in his community. For many years, he was a volunteer firefighter, a Mason, and a proud Rainbow Girl Dad. He volunteered with the Civil Air Patrol, served as Treasurer of WAWA, volunteered at MaineGeneral as a greeter, and could often be found stuffing stockings for veterans during the holiday season.

His interests were many and included computers, electronics, mechanics, radios, trains, and history. He loved the outdoors, particularly time spent at the ocean, and was happiest boating, biking, fishing, and hiking.

He is survived by his wife, Maryann; his three daughters, Lauren Grosso and her partner Ryan Ramsdell, Kristen Grosso and her son Angelo, and Amanda Grosso, her husband, Shawn Craig, and their two daughters, Hannah and Madison. He is also survived by his brothers, Robert Grosso and his wife Carolyn, and Brian Grosso and his wife Jane; as well as three nieces, a nephew, a great nephew, a great niece, and numerous friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Nick and Mary.

Douglas was many things to many people. He was the embodiment of the word patriarch and an honest and honorable man. He had a way of making everyone feel welcome, from the janitor to the CEO, possessed the most amusing sense of humor, and had a discerning viewpoint on just about everything, including life itself. To know Doug was to truly love him.

Douglas’s family would like to thank the numerous healthcare workers who cared for him over the many years.

Per his request, there will be no service.

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate the beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

In lieu of flowers,

donations may be made to the Lupus Foundation

of America