F. Daniel Grigal

F. Daniel Grigal, age 44, passed away at home on May 25, 2021 in Hillsborough, NJ.  Born and raised in Manville, NJ, Dan graduated from Manville High School in 1995. Dan met his wife, Melissa Kelly Grigal while on spring break in Cancun during college.  They were happily married for 18 years and have two children, Cole (15) and Camryn (12) and his faithful dog Chloe.

Dan attended Rowan University and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education.  He later earned his Master’s degree in Education from Kean University.  He began his teaching career in New Brunswick for two years and then Dan worked as a teacher and coach at the Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School for the past 19 years. Dan was an inspiring, dedicated, thoughtful, funny leader in both of his roles. As a teacher, coach, and friend, the number of lives he impacted is immeasurable.

Dan was an avid sports watcher and a diehard fan of the Miami Dolphins (Fins Up) and NJ Devils.  He enjoyed golfing, coaching, traveling with his family, going to concerts and he and Melissa have attended over 50 Dave Matthews Band concerts over the past 20 years.  He loved coaching his BRMS students in basketball and coaching his own children in the Hillsborough community in basketball, football, baseball and softball.

He is survived by wife Melissa, son Cole and daughter Camryn, his parents Frank and Kathleen Grigal of Manville, NJ, grandmother  Marie Grosh of   Raritan, NJ, and his sister Jennifer, brother-in-law David, and nephews Owen and Alex Delesky of Hillsborough, NJ. He also leaves behind many loving friends and family.

Viewing be held on Friday, May 28, 2021 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm and a memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at 9:30am at the Bridgewater Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, a legacy fund will be set up to provide annual scholarships to local youth basketball players in Dan’s honor. 

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