JOSEPH LAWRENCE GRAFFO

GRAFFO, JOSEPH LAWRENCE Age 88, of Hoover, AL passed away on Saturday, May 14, 2011. He was born September 15, 1922 in Birmingham, AL, the son of Thomas Joseph Graffo and Frances Romano Graffo. He graduated from St. Paul's High School and then attended the University of Alabama. He was called into military service during World War II and served with distinction in combat in the U.S. Army, 406th Infantry Regiment, 102nd Infantry Division in the European Theater. Upon returning to the states, he received his degree from Samford University and was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Joe began his work career with The Quaker Oats Company and later continued with Monarch Marking, a division of Pitney Bowes. He was elected President of the Crown Club, an honor bestowed on the top salesperson for the United States. Upon early retirement, Joe was awarded a distributorship from Pitney Bowes and later formed a start-up company for labeling systems. After final retirement, Joe returned with his wife Helen to their home state of Alabama. After his wife passed, he moved to Atlanta, GA to be close to his son, daughter, and daughter-in-law. Joe is survived by two sons, Tom and Joe (Shea), two daughters, Karen and Laurie, three grandchildren, Chris, Michael, and John, two great-grandchildren, Katie and Christian, sisters Annette Caterinicchia (Frank), Bernadine Rollo (Bill) and brother Tom. He will be missed by his in-laws, Ben George (Theresa) and a host of nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Thursday, May 19th from 9:30 to 10:30 am at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church followed by a funeral mass at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Office of Advancement, Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta, 5775 Glenridge Dr, Ste E200, Atlanta, GA 30328.