Christopher “Chris” Gromek, 63, of Gilbert, Arizona, passed away on December 5, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Chris was born on April 18, 1962, in Lafayette, Indiana, to John and Alice Gromek. On June 21, 1986, he married the love of his life, Nancy Delaney Rodriguez, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Together they built a beautiful life and raised two children, Crystal Jo and Ethan Daniel.

For nearly 40 years, Chris and Nancy made their home in the greater Phoenix area. Chris earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from New Mexico State University and later an MBA from Arizona State University. He devoted his entire professional career to the Garrett Turbine Engine Company, which became Allied Signal and later Honeywell, where his talent, dedication, and problem-solving spirit made a lasting impact.

Chris was known for his quick wit that brought laughter in any setting to all those he touched and endeared himself to family, close friends and strangers he just met. Chris approached every endeavor with passion and dedication and he was fiercely loyal to those around him.    

Chris was an engineer at heart and in life—always fixing, improving, and creating. He was the person friends and family turned to when something needed to be understood or made better. He approached every challenge with compassion, especially when helping those in need, including his mother, his brother John, and many others whose lives he quietly eased.

A world traveler and an avid golfer, Chris loved exploring new places as much as he loved a day on the course. He always had a project underway and a motorcycle in the garage—his passion for riding was lifelong and ever-present. Above all, he cherished time with his family, who were the center of his world.

Chris is preceded in death by his parents, Alice Ann and John Martin Gromek, and his brother, John Morgan Gromek.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Nancy; his children, Crystal Jo and Ethan Daniel, and Ethan’s fiancée, Naomi Spivey; his siblings Stacey Lopez (Rey) of Fort Collins, CO; Mark Gromek (Jill) of Cumming, GA; Michael Gromek of Rio Rancho, NM; Robert Gromek (Monica) of Richland, WA; and Matthew Gromek (Stephanie) of Lancaster, PA; and, his widowed sister-in-law Kathy Conroy of Las Vegas, NV. He is also survived by many beloved sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: JoAnn Haught of Las Cruces, NM, Sharon Downs of Huntsville, AL, Becky Rodriguez of Santa Fe, NM, Barbara Gatlin (Michael) of Las Cruces, NM, Ray Rodriguez (Linda) of Sacramento, CA, Charles Rodriguez (Terri) of Sacramento, CA, Jose Rodriguez of California, and Raul Rodriguez (Ruth) of Las Cruces, NM.

Chris will be remembered for his generous heart, brilliant mind, and the unwavering love he held for his family. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched and the many problems he solved with love, patience, kindness, and skill.