Earl S. McGraw Jr.

1970 - 2016

NORTHFIELD - Earl S. McGraw Jr., 46, died peacefully after a long fought battle with Lung Cancer on September 21, 2016. Earl was born in Manhattan, NY on July 14, 1970 son of Ada May (Friday) McGraw and the late Earl McGraw.
He graduated from Rhodes High School in NY in 1988 and attended Mitchell Junior College. He received a Bachelor's degree from North Adams State College and obtained his Master's degree from Keene State College in 2007.
Earl married his soulmate, Roxanne Miller, on September 12, 1998, and made their home in Northfield.
Earl started out his educational career at Frontier Regional High School in 1996 as a Social Studies teacher in their Alternative Program. From 1999-2002 Earl was a Social Worker at Dare Family Services. In 2002 he was employed at Mohawk Regional School. In 2003 he transitioned to Turners Falls High School as the Dean of Students and remained there until 2007. Earl had a brief but memorable stint with Donahue Elementary School, where he tried his skills with the younger kids. One day he came home and said ""I read to the second graders today and when they smiled none of them had front teeth!"" Although he was good with all students he felt he had a better rapport with middle school and high school students. In 2008 he returned to educating adolescents as the Dean of Students at Amherst Regional High School. In 2012 he worked at the Franklin County Technical School as their Dean of Students. In his last year of work, he returned to Turners Falls High School. (Go Blue!)
Earl enjoyed sports and played basketball while in college. After college he enjoyed playing in the Men's Football League and made many lifelong friends on those cold mornings on Green River Park Field. He also played Semi-Pro football with the Blitzin' Bears for one year, but after having a second child decided he needed to hang up his helmet. He played in several basketball leagues and loved the competition and camaraderie. He coached his son Jalen's Basketball and Baseball teams and taught them not only the game but good sportsmanship and how to lose gracefully.
As a player, coach, and educator, Earl was respected on and off the field for his competitive nature and winning attitude. He was a passionate fan of New York sports, namely his Yankees and Giants. True to his Bronx roots, he loved teasing his friends about their less than worthy Red Sox and Patriots teams.
Earl was often noticed because of his brawn, but when you got to know him, you got to see that it was his huge heart and charisma that made him larger than life. Earl was a genuine, honest, kind, inspirational, one of a kind, Angel on Earth. He had the ability to connect with people and knew just what to say to make them feel special.
Earl was a loving father to his two beautiful children, Kiana and Jalen. He will be forever etched in their hearts!
Earl is survived by his loving wife of 18 years Roxanne (Miller) McGraw, daughter Kiana Rochelle McGraw, son Jalen Anthony McGraw, mother Ada May (Friday) McGraw, sister Hyacinth Gilead, niece Dionne Donawa who he thought of as a sister, nephew Austin Donawa who he thought of as a son, cousin/brother Fitzmorris Friday-McGraw. His in-laws Norman and Paula Miller, Roni (Miller) and Fred Anthony, Norman Jr. and Rebecca Miller. Niece Mariah Anthony, nephews Aiden Miller, TJ Cummings, Nolan and Sean Connors, and coming soon Leonidas Miller. Earl leaves many Aunts, Uncles, cousins and close friends he considered family. Earl was predeceased by his father Earl McGraw and his brother Terry Donawa.
Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.
Donations in his memory may be made to a local charity of one's choice.
Kidder Funeral Home, 1 Parker Ave, Northfield, MA is in charge of arrangements.
To leave a condolence please visit www.kidderfuneralhome.com.