BANGOR and HAMPDEN - Robert L. Graffam, 87, husband of Mary (Mitchell) Graffam died March 5, 2014. He was born April 15, 1926, in Bangor, the son of Lewis and Christine (Campbell) Graffam.
Bob graduated from Bangor High School in 1944, a class that still remains close. Bob received the Garland Strang Memorial watch for outstanding athletic achievement. He served in the Navy Theatre in World War II stationed in the Pacific with the 38th Battalion of the Seabees. He married Mary E. Mitchell on March 26, 1949. Bob then attended Husson College and worked for many years at Eastern Fine Paper and in the hardware and plumbing business, retiring from F.W. Webb in 1986. Bob enjoyed family gatherings and attending his children and grandchildren's sporting events.
In addition to his wife, Mary, of 64 years, he is survived by his three children, Deborah Mallar and her husband James, of Holden, Robert Graffam and his wife, Phyllis (Bates), of Vero Beach, Fla., and Mary Bureau of Bangor; eight grandchildren, Matthew and his wife, Andrea, Brian and his wife, Robin, Robert and Christine Graffam, all of Florida, James Mallar and his wife, Matie, of Arlington, Va., Lindsay (Mallar) Lesch and her husband, Douglas, of Frisco, Colo., Nicole (Bureau) Carruthers and her husband, Joshua, of Malden, Mass., and Jessica Bureau of Bangor; five great-grandchildren, Christian, Brianna, Madison, Skylar, and Maddox Graffam, all of Florida; and his cousins, the Getchell family. He was predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Norma Graffam; and his son-in-law, Brian Bureau, all of Bangor.
The family thanks the Staff and Clifford the cat at The Maine Veteran's Home for their loving, compassionate care for Bob and for Mary when she visited.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit 4-6 p.m. Friday, March 14, at Hampden-Gilpatrick Funeral Home, 45 Western Ave., Hampden, where a memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, March 15, with Pastor Ken Graves of Calvary Chapel officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Calvary Chapel, 154 River Road, Orrington, ME 04474; or The Maine Veteran's Home, 44 Hogan Road, Bangor, ME 04401. Messages of condolence and memories may be shared through www.hampdengilpatrick.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
March 24, 2014
Mitch Wood
Dear Graffam Family,
We are so saddened by the loss of Uncle Bob. I will always remember him as such a good man. Deborah and I are so grateful that our daughters were able to meet him. Love to you all.
March 24, 2014
We offer the wonderful Irish Blessing to our wonderful brother-in-law and uncle:
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields and,
until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
With deepest love from the Wood family--Ann, Cathy, Jenny, Mitch, Kent and Liz--and our families as well
March 20, 2014
Dear Debbie, Mrs. Graffam and Family, Some of my fondest memories were spent with you and your family! I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Graffam was such a kind, soft spoken and sweet man. Sending thoughts prayers your way.
Love, Bonnie Veilleux Frend
March 15, 2014
Joey Allen
Debbie: Sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. I fondly remember days long ago at Doug's S&S when we shared stories about our families. Please accept my sympathy to you and the rest of the family at this time.
March 14, 2014
Bobby Junior
Dear Grammy,
So sorry to hear about Grampy passing away. Sorry I couldn't be there this weekend. I'll be thinking of you all. Love you Grammy.
Love Little Bobby
March 14, 2014
Linda Goodness
Dearest Mary, Debbie and family,
The Goodness family all send our love and heartfelt prayers for this difficult time, but also our joyous celebrations knowing of the peace he now has as he was welcomed by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May you be comforted by the many stories shared and by remembering the gifts he left here on earth. Praying for friends and family.
March 14, 2014
Mary and Family, The Crowleys of Hampden and my Dad at the Veterans Home send our thoughts and prayers for you in this difficult time. We enjoyed visiting wiith Bob and reliving the glory days of sports in Bangor. Best wishes.
Nat Crowley
March 13, 2014
Joanne Mitchell Gantt
Dear Mary
I was saddened upon hearing of Bob's passing. I have many fond memories of playing basketball on your backyard court and seeing one another on Westbrooke Terrace. My prayers and thoughts will be with you through this difficult time.
March 13, 2014
Nancy and Stan Van Horn
Dear Mary and Family, We were so sorry to see of Bob's passing. He indeed was the definition of a gentleman and gentle man. He and Donnie were cut from the same cloth and it was a privilege to know them.
Nancy and Stan Van Horn
March 12, 2014
Bob Saltzman
Dear Mary & Family, I was saddened to hear of Bob's death. Bob and my relationship started in grammar school even though we went to different schools. Many times after school and on weekends. we would have pick-up football, basketball and baseball games in Broadway Park. We were class and team mates at Garland St. JHS and at BHS (Class of '44). Bob was by far the best athlete of our class. We were hoping that Bob would be in condition to attend our 70th class reunion next Sept. We will be thinking of him then.
March 12, 2014
Mrs Graffam - we are sad to hear about Mr. Graffam's passing. You both were such dear friends and neighbors of my mom and dad (Pete and Ellie) and we always appreciated that. Joe and Sue (Veilleux) Cyr and family
March 11, 2014
Julia and Jon Kunz
Dear Mary and family; we are sad to hear of Bob's passing. We have fond memories of our children playing basketball on your backyard court and seeing one another on warm summer days. Our prayers and thoughts will be with you through this difficult time. Julia and Jon Kunz, Sunset Ave.
March 11, 2014
Holly Ward
Dear Mary & family: We are so to read about Bob's passing. Bob was such a kind, gentle, loving man and touched the hearts of many. He will be sadly missed. Know that you all are in our thoughts & prayers. -- Glenda-Jo Bowden & Holly-Jo
March 11, 2014
Bob and Barbara Lunt
To Mary and family,
We were saddened to hear of Bob's passing. We will always remember his as a sweet, kind, and honest man. A truly rare gentleman!
Our warmest thoughts, sympathy and prayers are with you and your family. He will be missed by many.
March 11, 2014
To Mary and Family, we send to you all our Thoughts and Prayers. May God be with You All at this time. Norm and barb Getchell
March 10, 2014
Bets & Shad
We have such fond and fun memories of our Bob, parties in your basement,(we were bad and you put up with us),picnics at Bar Harbor, party time at every restaurant in Bangor.We could go on and on! You will be missed but the fond memories will make it easier for us to realize that our Bob will be with us in spirit and looking down upon us smiling and shaking his head, but always putting up with the crazy Mitchell Family We send much love to each and every one of you. Love Bets and Shad
March 10, 2014
suzette tapley
dear mary, sorry to hear of your fathers passing. our condolensces to you all. love, suzette and family.
March 10, 2014
dear mary and family. sorry to hear of bobs passing.our condolescences to you all. love, suzette and family.
March 10, 2014
Nancy Coffey
Dear Debbi and family,
I was so sorry to hear about your Dad! I always remember your parents at all the kid's things. They are such wonderful people. I used to see them in the grocery store, too. Please extend my sympathy to your dear mother.
March 10, 2014
Mrs.G, Deb, Bob, Mary, I was so sorry to read of Big Bob's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you. So many memories came flooding back. I always felt so welcome at your house in Westbrook Terrace. So many games of ball out back, bikes, motorcycles, etc. Mr. and Mrs. G were like second parents. Take comfort in the fact that he's in good hands now.
Chris Bowden
March 10, 2014
John ( Moppsy) Davis
Please accept my sincere condolences.
March 10, 2014
Merle and Mary Scott
Our thoughts are with you Mary and with all of your family'
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