Dennis McGraw Jr.

1932 - 2024

WILLOUGHBY -- Dennis John McGraw Jr., 92, formerly of Lima, went to be with our Lord at 2:20 pm on Sunday, August 25, 2024, at his home in Willoughby, surrounded by his family. Denny was born on March 5, 1932, in Lima, the son of the late Mary Louise (Stoll) and Dennis McGraw Sr.

Denny graduated from St. Rose High School, class of 1950. He served in the Air Force, during which he was able to travel the world. At his last post Denny was stationed in Omaha, where he met and married his lifelong love, Betty (Thill) in 1956, who died in 2021. They celebrated 65 years of marriage together.

Denny worked at Teledyne Ohio and retired from the Whemco Ohio Foundry in 1999, where he managed and then consulted in the iron foundry. He was a member of St. Gerard Parish. Denny enjoyed watching baseball, auto racing, and westerns. He also loved to read. Denny loved spending time with his family. In 2015, he and his wife, Betty, relocated to Cleveland, where they lived out their lives with their children.

Denny will be deeply missed by his children; daughters, Judith (Tony) Backs, with whom he made his home, Nancy (Kim Dambrogio) McGraw of Willowick, OH, Susie (Andy) O'Neal of Solon, OH; and his son, Dennis (Randy Reetz) McGraw III of Solon, OH; his daughter-in-law, Linda McGraw of Lima. Denny is also survived by five grandchildren; Lesa Brown of Lima, OH, Michael (Amanda) McGraw of Decatur, IN, Christopher Backs of Chicago, IL, Ryan Backs of Willoughby, OH, Hayley O'Neal of Gomer, OH, Kelsey O'Neal of Parma, OH; four great-grandchildren: Sean McGraw, Aaron Brown, Hayden McGraw and Hunter McGraw.

In addition to his wife and parents, Denny was preceded in death by his son John B. McGraw, grandson John J. McGraw, two brothers, Robert (Bob) McGraw and his wife, Althea; Richard (Dick) McGraw and his wife, Carol, and his sister, Mary Pentenburg and her husband, Tom.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 4th at 11:00 am in the vestibule of St. Gerard Church in Lima. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at noon, followed by burial at Gethsemani Cemetery. There will be no reception. A Celebration of Life will be held mid-September in Cleveland, Ohio.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com.