Maurice Grossman

A friend of many of us, Democratic activist Maurice Grossman, age 82, passed away on January 21 following heart valve surgery at TMC Hospital.

Maurice was a retired art professor from the U of A (1955 to 1989), who continued his ceramic art work at his studio at his home in the Sam Hughes Neighborhood. He was dedicated to many social causes, and very active in the Southern Arizona Stonewall Democrats (a GLBT group), Democrats of Greater Tucson, Wingspan, and Sam Hughes Cares for Seniors, a volunteer program providing mostly transit services to fellow neighbors.

Maurice was the Grand Marshall in last October’s Pride Parade in Tucson, and he was always a participant at Tucson’s Aidswalk, also held in October.

I knew Maurice as a friend, neighbor, and fellow activist, and I will miss him, as will many of us in Tucson. Farewell dear friend. He told me he would not live to see gay marriage pass in Arizona, and he was right. We have to carry on for him.

Jan. 25 update: KUAT Channel 6 is airing an art interview with Maurice by Sooyeon Lee tonight at 6:30 p.m. Or watch it online at: http://ondemand.azpm.org/videoshorts/watch/2010/1/25/kuat-remembering-a-pioneer/

The Celebration of Life of Dr. Maurice Grossman will be held on Sunday, February 7, 5:30 pm at the Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Avenue, with stories, sharings, and farewells.

My photo gallery on Maurice, click here.