Andre Eric Grebenstein

Andre Eric Grebenstein

March 26, 1971 – October 10, 2026

Andre Eric Grebenstein, 55, of Hazlet, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at home on October 10, 2026, surrounded by his loving family, following a brief but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

The beloved son of Charles and Cynthia Grebenstein, Andre was born in Northampton, Massachusetts, on March 26, 1971, and was raised in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. A 1989 graduate of Mountain Lakes High School, Andre played varsity football (Go Herd!) and lacrosse. His connection and contributions to the community continued long after graduation. He proudly served as a member of the Mountain Lakes Volunteer Fire Department and later worked as a dispatcher for the Mountain Lakes Police Department.

Andre attended the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), where he earned a degree in civil engineering and later earned his MBA in Supply Chain Management from Rutgers University. While Andre excelled in college academically, it was his membership in the Epsilon Psi chapter of the Theta Chi fraternity that would shape his life in meaningful ways. Through Theta Chi, Andre formed friendships and a brotherhood that would last a lifetime, especially with his “1-Man Wolf Pack.”

During his time at NJIT, Andre interned at Turner Construction, where he discovered that construction management, rather than engineering, was his true professional passion. Following graduation, he accepted a permanent position with Turner and began what would become a distinguished career.

Throughout his tenure at Turner, Andre managed numerous significant projects. He was particularly proud of serving as superintendent for the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark. He also oversaw the renovation of the New York Jets’ locker rooms, a project that developed his devotion to the team. Andre remained a loyal, dedicated, and more than occasionally tortured Jets fan throughout his life.

Among his many projects were several school renovations, including his own childhood grade school Wildwood Elementary in Mountain Lakes. But it was another school project, the construction of Auten Road School in Hillsborough, that would prove to be the most important of all. It was there that Andre met Gina Melinis, a kindergarten teacher who would become the love of his life.

Andre and Gina married on April 10, 1999, and settled in Hazlet, a community they came to love and proudly call home. They welcomed their daughter, Celia, in 2001, followed by their son, Jimmy, in 2003. Together, they built a life centered on family, friendship, and the simple joys of being together.

Andre’s professional journey continued with leadership positions at The Martin Group in Matawan and HITT Contracting, where he most recently served as Vice President and New York Business Unit Leader. He played an instrumental role in expanding HITT’s presence in New York, earning the respect and admiration of colleagues throughout the industry. Yet, for all his professional accomplishments, Andre’s greatest contributions were often the ones that could not be measured by the projects he completed. He fostered a positive and supportive workplace culture, mentored countless colleagues, and led with kindness, fairness, humility, and humor.

Those qualities defined Andre far beyond his professional life. He was a devoted friend, a loving son, brother, godfather and uncle, and someone whose quick wit and generous spirit left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him. He had a remarkable ability to make others feel valued, and his influence will live on through the many lives he touched.

Above all, Andre was a devoted husband and father. Of all his many accomplishments, none brought him greater pride or happiness than the life he built with Gina and their two children. His family was his greatest joy, and the love he had for them was evident in everything he did.

Andre is survived by his beloved wife, Gina (née Melinis); his children, Celia and Jimmy; his parents, Charles and Cynthia Grebenstein; his sister, Heidi Speckhart (John); his brother, Thomas Grebenstein (Fran); his mother-in-law, Regina Melinis; and his sisters-in-law, Ruta Didzbalis (Joseph), Vida Melinis, and Lina Esposito (Paul).

He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Audra Didzbalis, Lina Griffin (Connor), Jaden Liles (fiancée Jose Bernal), Nadia and Lydia Kowalski, Joey and Ella Esposito, Sofia Grebenstein, and Lainey and Drew Speckhart as well as many cherished extended family members.

Family and friends are invited to Andre’s memorial visitation on Friday, October 23, 2026 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Shore Point Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 3269 State Highway/Route 35 North, Hazlet, NJ 07730. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Hazlet First Aid and Rescue Squad or Wreaths Across America would be appreciated. For more information, directions or to send condolences to the funeral home, please visit www.shorepointfh.com.

In Andre’s memory, his family asks that you laugh with those you love, share a sunrise or sunset, or spend a day together at the beach. Cherish life’s simple moments, for they are the ones that mattered the most to Andre.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Andre Eric Grebenstein, please visit our floral store.