Staffan Olof Grigholm

Staffan Olof Grigholm, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, colleague and friend, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2024, at the age of 82, surrounded by loved ones. Born on December 27, 1941, in Karlstad, Sweden, and raised in Gävle, Sweden, Staffan lived a life enriched by family, adventure, and friendships.

The son of Stig-Olof and Inga Grigholm, and brother of Inga-Britt Ahlenius (Grigholm), Staffan spent his childhood captivated by sports, nature, technology, and world travel. A natural athlete, he was an enthusiastic player of ice hockey, bandy, tennis, and soccer. His love and dedication to sport continued throughout his life. He had a curious mind, and his life was shaped by an enduring fascination with aviation, science, and technology.

After completing his military service in the Swedish Air Force, Staffan moved to the United States, where he began a long career with Cook, Inc. Working in many different roles, he was forever dedicated to advancing innovations in medical technology and developed close collaborations with doctors throughout his career. While working for Cook, he moved to Germany, where he met a fellow Swede and his future wife of 49 years, Inger Engström. Staffan and Inger moved from Germany to California and eventually settled in Fairfield, Connecticut, where they raised their two children, Linda and Björn. 

Staffan was a self-starter with a palpable curiosity. His love for knowledge spanned science, technology, photography, and politics. He was an avid reader, often neatly clipping articles for friends and family or engaging in lively political debates. He loved crossword puzzles, slapstick comedy, and the outdoors. He had a soft spot for cats, who seemed to sense his gentle spirit. From his early days in the United States, Staffan was an active participant in various Scandinavian organizations including Swedish folk dancing, Swedish ski club and was a member of the Scandinavian Club of Fairfield. He continued these activities through his retirement as well as playing table tennis daily at his local senior center and becoming a member of the 5am McDonald’s breakfast club. Ice hockey remained a lifelong passion, and Staffan played in local clubs and tournaments across North America, while also enjoying tennis, skiing, table tennis, and Swedish folk dancing. Staffan maintained a youthful agility into his later years, and could often be found climbing high up into the trees to trim branches well into his 70s.

In his later years, he traveled frequently to Sweden to visit friends and family. Staffan was very nostalgic about Värmland (the region of Sweden where his family came from) and enjoyed gathering with family at the lake house he shared with his sister. He also enjoyed traveling to Washington where he spent time with his daughter Linda, son-in-law Noah (Citron), and grandchildren Bella and Jonah and Maine where he spent time with his son Björn, his daughter-in-law Amy (Pierce), and his grandchildren Willow and Zoe. A devoted hardworking provider throughout his long career, he cherished his retirement as a time to build deeper connections with his adult children and fully embrace his role as a playful and loving Morfar/Farfar. Toward the end of his life, he spent most of his time with his wife Inger, growing closer than ever, exploring Fairfield by foot through miles-long walks, enjoying beachlife year round- plunging into the ocean as late as October- and sharing simple joys like Dunkin' Donuts coffee and ice cream. They enjoyed marveling at the wildlife that thrived in the marsh behind their home and the delightful procession of dogs that were walked several times a day outside their kitchen window, which they lovingly referred to as the “Dog Parade.” 

As Mark Twain said, "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter." Staffan embodied this wisdom, living fully and leaving a lasting legacy of kindness, laughter, and love. Known for his intelligence, warmth, humor, and the ability to converse with anyone, Staffan was a generous soul, ever willing to lend a hand to neighbors, share a story, or make someone smile. He was an active member of his community, bringing joy to those around him. 

A private funeral service will be held in Lekvattnet, Sweden, where, honoring his final wishes, Staffan’s ashes will be scattered in the place he held most dear. In an extraordinary act of selflessness and dedication to science, Staffan participated in Alzheimer’s research for the last seven years and donated his brain to help advance understanding of the disease. The family invites contributions in his memory to the Yale Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, honoring his battle with this devastating disease as well as his lifelong spirit of generosity.