Colin J. Grier; Community Activist

Colin J. Grier, a volunteer and community leader in the Sun Valley area, has died at a Tarzana hospital. He was 56.

A longtime Sun Valley resident, Grier died Saturday of a neuromuscular disease, said his wife, Margery Grier.

Born in Southampton, England, Grier was an aeronautical engineer for British Aircraft Corp. before immigrating to the United States in 1965. Grier worked as an aeronautical engineer for Boeing Co. and Lockheed Corp. and in 1971, the year he became a U.S. citizen, Grier started working as a salesman in Encino for Mutual of New York.

Grier held leadership positions with several Valley organizations, including senior coordinator of the volunteer program at the Los Angeles Police Department’s North Hollywood station. He was a board member and 1982-84 president of the Sun Valley Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the boards of the Sun Valley Rotary Club and Sun Valley Little League.

Grier was a member of the East Valley Police Activity League Supporters, and an honorary member of the American Legion Post 520 in Sun Valley. He also was a Neighborhood Watch program organizer.

In addition to his wife of 29 years, Grier is survived by a son, Paul Grier of Sun Valley; daughters Helen Grier of Sun Valley and Janey FitzGerald of Rancho Santa Margarita; and mother, Madeleine Grier and sister, Gwen Clay, both of Bournemouth, England.

A memorial service is planned for 6:30 tonight at J.T. Oswald Mortuary, 11020 Camarillo St., North Hollywood, which is handling the arrangements. Contributions can be made in Grier’s name to a charity of the donor’s choice.