Friends and family mourned the loss of UConn student John Adam Groth on Monday Nov. 30 at the St. Joseph Church of Winsted.
"The church was packed," said Chris Shank, a 7th-semester history major.
It seems that for anyone who knew Groth, this comes as no surprise. According to Ben Kendrick, a 5th-semester chemistry engineering major, Groth would help people constantly and was always willing to talk.
"He just cared about people a lot," Kendrick said.
Groth, Shank and Kendrick all grew up together in West Hartland where Groth enjoyed camping, playing heavy metal on his guitar, smoking cigars and riding quads.
"I remember one time, he took a turn too hard and went flying off the quad into a bank," said Kendrick. "When I looked back all I saw was John crawling back out."
Groth was an accomplished gymnast, having won "All-Around" State Champion in 2002 and later going on to become a Men's Junior Olympic National. According to his father, pommel horse was his favorite event, although at first he was terrible, but he worked constantly until he excelled at the event.
He was also a state champion two years in a row for pole vaulting at Gilbert High School in Winsted. He was an honors student who was captain of the wrestling and track teams.
On one occasion, Groth drank around six Gatorades before weighing in for a wrestling match so that his friend, who didn't make weight, could wrestle in his place. Groth, meanwhile, would have to wrestle up a class. He didn't hold the Gatorades down after weighing in, but he did go on to win the match.
Groth loved riding his motorcycle and was saving up to buy a Ducati. His father said he kept his motorcycle even cleaner than his room.
"He was focused and driven at times, yet relaxed and fun-loving at others; a refreshing mix of mature and immature," said Kendrick in the eulogy he wrote for Groth.
"I remember one time he packed down around 76 wings at Hooters," said Shank.
Recently, Groth had been coaching young girls at North West Gymnastics in Winsted. He gave them all nicknames, much like his coach had done when he was a kid. He loved coaching, so much so that one time he even let the girls shave his head provided they gave it their all at practice.
"As anyone who worked alongside John knows, he inspired you to be your best," said Kendrick.
At UConn, he was getting ready to finish up a degree in kinesiology and nutrition. He aspired to be a health and fitness coach for a sports team after graduation.
John Adam Groth is survived by his parents, Harold and Joanne Groth, and his brother, Jared Groth. His grandmother, Ann King, along with aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends are all mourning his loss.
"He always said that he would rather live hard, fast and to the fullest for a short time than to let life pass you by. He lived that dream for 20 years," said Kendrick in his eulogy. "So if you really want to celebrate John's life, eat a steak, have a cigar and have a drink with some friends, because that's the only way John would have it."
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