The Rev. Addison K. Groff, a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Newark for thirty-six years and a member of the clergy for nearly three quarters of a century, died Sunday, January 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, at the age of 98. Born in Rochester, New York, on March 22, 1919, and raised in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and western Maryland, Addison graduated in 1941 with a degree in English from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Called to the ministry just like his father before him, he graduated from Lancaster Theological Seminary in 1944 and served for four years in the Evangelical and Reformed Church (now part of the United Church of Christ) in churches in western Pennsylvania. He was drawn to the Episcopal Church by the beauty and grace of its worship, and through the mentorship of the Rev. William Chamberlain and the Rev. Richard Kunkel. After an Anglican year at the General Theological Seminary in New York City, he was ordained to the diaconate at the Church of Our Savior in Dubois, Pennsylvania, in 1949, and then to the priesthood at Christ Church, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, in 1950. He served as curate at Trinity Episcopal Church in New Castle, Pennsylvania. In 1953, Addison became rector of St. Agnes’ Episcopal Church in East Orange, New Jersey. He married Irene Bornemann, known as Ronnie, a book editor who was the daughter of one of his vestry members, in 1954. He shepherded a racially diverse parish through the struggle and progress of the civil rights movement, culminating in the construction of a new parish hall as a symbol of hope and unity. Called in 1971 to be rector at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Rochelle Park, Addison again led a major building project, restoring the church in the Tudor style and reconstructing its iconic bell tower. During his years in the Diocese of Newark, he was secretary to the Corporation for the Relief of Widows, Widowers and Children of the Clergy (CWWC) of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New Jersey, assistant secretary of the diocesan convention, and chaplain of the House of the Holy Comforter in West Orange, where he celebrated Holy Communion weekly from 1954 until his retirement. He also served as chaplain of the East Orange and Rochelle Park fire departments. Addison and Ronnie retired to Houston, Delaware, in 1989, where he became priest associate at Christ Church, Milford, and regularly conducted services at St. Stephen’s, Harrington, and St. John the Baptist, Milton. In retirement he cultivated an extensive garden, while fishing and boating in his beloved tidewater rivers and creeks. After Ronnie’s death in February 2003, he relocated to Los Angeles to be close to family. He attended All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena and St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church in Hollywood, enjoyed his grandchildren, keenly followed developments in the church, kept abreast of the world through the New York Times and Facebook, and rooted for the Dodgers. Addison was both priest and minister, combining his love of liturgy with a commitment to pastoral compassion and care. He was equally at home at the altar of the Lord and the bedside of the sick. He is survived by his son David Groff and son-in-law Clay Williams of New York City, his son Jonathan Groff and daughter-in-law Martha Chowning of Los Angeles, and two grandchildren, Medora and Edwin. Addison is also survived by his brother Joseph Groff, sister-in-law Margaret Groff, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 29, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church, 7501 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, with burial to follow in the Groff family plot at Greenwood Cemetery in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Donations in celebration of Addison’s life and ministry may be made to Episcopal Relief and Development.