Michael Anthony Gruich, 75, of Long Beach, MS, passed away on February 19th just days before his 76th birthday.

In his prime, Mike was an avid fisherman and enjoyed spending time with friends out on the water or in the backyard cooking a recent catch. In his younger years, Mike served 2 tours in Vietnam where he was wounded in combat and awarded the Purple Heart. After his military career, Mike heard the calling of Civil Service and spent the remainder of his working career in service to his community.

He is survived by his brother August (Gig) Gruich; his sons, Michael Gruich Jr. and Shawn Gruich; his daughter Melissa French; his stepson Matthew Boyd; his grandchildren Kayla Lysinger, Nicholas Gruich, Hannah Gruich, Winston French, Zoe Boyd and Andrew Boyd; his great grandchildren Brody Lysinger and Cooper Anderson. Mike was predeceased by his wife, Sandra Boyd Gruich and granddaughter Bethany Gruich.

We thank Mike for his service and his sacrifice in this life and wish him well on his new journey. He will be forever loved and forever missed.

Southern Mississippi Funeral Services will be in charge of his services on behalf of his family.