Hon. John J. Gruber ’52

Judge Gruber lost his father, a Buffalo police officer, when he was only 11. The oldest of four, he worked three days a week as a riveter while in high school. It was wartime and he wanted to be a pilot, so he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, but the end of the war with Germany precipitated the closing of the Army’s air cadet program. Instead of becoming a pilot, he was sent to occupied Germany, and by chance to work in the judge advocate’s office. It was there, while helping with courts martial, he discovered his interest in the law.

Discharged in 1946, he enrolled at UB in history and government. He then entered law school in 1949. He had two uncles who were lawyers, but he thought he might be a policeman, like his father. He took the police exam and worked as a police officer while in law school and for two years after he graduated. It was a tough schedule, especially because the professors called on you in class.

Gruber had an entering class of 145, and only 68 graduated, including five women. His favorite class was Criminal Law. Professor Hyman was a gentleman, and he enjoyed Professor Lenhoff. “We were a close class, mostly vets. We had a lot of respect for each other.”

There were monthly beer parties and a lot of socializing with the other classes. At the time, Lou DelCotto was a second-year law student. Gruber remembered he would play the guitar and have parties at his house. Gruber was president of the Student Bar Association when he graduated.

Gruber first practiced with his uncle, criminal defense lawyer Thomas McKenna, then joined the firm of Coffey, Heffernan and Harrison, which represented shipping companies. Clients included the American Steamship Co., which he represented in state and federal courts throughout the Great Lakes.

Certified as a Proctor in Admiralty, he was the last practicing proctor in Western New York when he retired in 2003. As Great Lakes shipping declined in the 1980s, his focus turned to general practice.

He was first elected Tonawanda town justice in 1983 and served for six four-year terms.

Gruber said the most satisfying part of being a lawyer in Buffalo is the respect lawyers have for each other. His advice: Pay attention and reshape your thinking on issues. Volunteer for experience.

• Past president of the Propeller Club of the Port of Buffalo, a group of maritime professionals. He served as regional vice president of the Propeller Club of the United States.
• Honored as Magistrate of the Year in 2004 by the Erie County Magistrates Association.
• The Tonawanda Conservative Party gave him its Outstanding Public Servant Award in 2008.

Born April 13, 1927—Died April 19, 2020