Rich & Lucy Groblewski. Photo by Julie Pietraszak-Curtis.

Rich Groblewski, founder and longtime leader of the Lancaster Garden Walk, passed away on August 21, 2025, after a long health struggle. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Lucy, who died just this past May.

Lancaster Village Mayor Lynne Ruda presented the *James S. Keysa Mayor's Community Service Award* to Rich in 2021. Photo from Lancaster Garden Walk Facebook page.

A Legacy of Garden Leadership

Rich dedicated 20 years to running the Lancaster Garden Walk before passing leadership to his friend and collaborator, Julie Pietraszak-Curtis. He was also an early advocate for Open Gardens in July, featuring his own garden on the tour for 13 of its first 15 years.

His contributions to the regional gardening community extended beyond the Lancaster Garden Walk. Rich served on the founding board of Gardens Buffalo Niagara and was a member of both the Buffalo Bonsai Society and the Niagara Frontier Koi and Pond Club at different points in time. He also volunteered his time with Plantasia.

Rich also founded Lancaster Beautification, now led by Julie Pietraszak-Curtis and Peg Riexinger. Each year, the group is responsible for planting and maintaining the flowers that line the streets of the Lancaster Village Business District.

The back of the Groblewski garage doubles as a Japanese tea house! Photo by Jim Charlier.

A Japanese Garden Paradise

Rich and Lucy’s Japanese-style garden became a highlight of both the Lancaster Garden Walk and Open Gardens. Rich’s passion for Japanese culture began in fourth grade when a Japanese pen pal sent him a photograph of her garden, sparking a lifelong interest.

Located behind their garage, the garden was a hidden gem that surprised visitors with its traditional Japanese tea house (cleverly built against the garage’s windowless back wall), large pond with koi fish, waterfall, and Asian garden art. Much of this enchanting space was created using salvaged and repurposed materials, transforming an ordinary backyard into a garden fantasy worthy of Disney.

The garden was featured in the books, The Urban Garden, 101 Ways to Grow Food and Beauty in the City by Kathy Jentz and Teri Speight, and Buffalo Style Gardens, Create a Quirky, One-of-a-Kind Private Garden with Eye-Catching Designs, written by Sally Cunningham and myself. It was also featured in an article by Connie Oswald Stofko on Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com. The garden has also been featured in regional newspapers and national magazines.

“Located behind their garage, the garden was a hidden gem that surprised visitors with its traditional Japanese tea house (cleverly built against the garage’s windowless back wall)...”

Garden friends made and a legacy continued…

From Rich’s close friend and current co-chair of the Lancaster Garden Walk, Julie Pietraszak-Curtis: “Our paths crossed in 2007 when the village opened the Lancaster Garden Walk to the entire town. Rich walked into my gift shop (Two Chicks and a Rooster) and asked if I wanted to be in it. I told him I had waited for years to be asked!

We became friends and, with spouses Lucy and Dan, were together all the time. We enjoyed visiting other gardens together and creating ideas to come back and make it happen in our own spaces.

I was happy to help with the planning and participating in the annual event. When the 2023 Garden Walk completed his 20 years of giving back to the community, he handed the reigns over to continue the tradition of bringing flowering joy to the visitors that come to see the gardens. It was a promise I made to him to continue it for years to come.”

“Rich and Lucy were instrumental in building the region’s garden community and tourism during its formative years.”

Remembering Rich

Rich, probably the tallest man to ever wear a kimono while showing off his garden, is seen here with three of his six grandchildren. Photo from Rich’s Facebook page.

Rich’s generosity extended to sharing plants with fellow gardeners. The one Voodoo lily he gave my wife continues to propagate, serving as ever-living memorials. She even named each newly propagated plant after him: Rich, Richard, Rick, Dick, Ricky, and Richie. There are now more plants than nicknames for Richard! We share them with our friends.

It’s been a few years since I’ve seen Rich or been in his garden. I regret that. He was a creator of awe, delight, and beauty, as you can see from the photos below.

Rich and Lucy are survived by their three daughters: Betsy Young (Greg), Erin Puntoriero (Anthony), and Molly Kime (Steven); six grandchildren: Sophia, Ethan, Lily, Brayden, Anthony, and Alessandro; and 22 koi fish.

Rich and Lucy were instrumental in building the region’s garden community and tourism during its formative years. Their contributions as creators of beauty, wonder, and connection will be deeply missed by family, friends, and the many gardeners they inspired.

If you’d like to contribute to the Lancaster Beautification effort in Rich and Lucy’s memory by adopting a planter, visit here. There are different level sponsorship opportunities benefiting the Lancaster Beautification program Rich started. Just print and fill out the form, and send in a check. The flyer says 2024, but the form is still valid.

If you’d like to volunteer for Lancaster Beautification, or have any other questions, email Julie Pietraszak-Curtis.