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Gary Graff Obituary
He was born March 8, 1954, in Cleveland, to Nancy nee Suesse and the late Roland Graff.
He was a graduate of Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business. He was a sales representative for Stanley-Proto Tools for the past 17 years.
He was an avid Bears and Cubs fan and enjoyed working outdoors, golfing and gardening.
Survivors include his wife, Judy L. nee Bowser, whom he married June 2, 1984, in St. Charles; his children, Dale Draper of Crystal Lake and Ryan and Tara Graff of Crystal Lake; his mother, Nancy of Wheaton; his brothers, David Graff of Glen Ellyn, Dennis (Sawako) Graff of Bolingbrook and Kenneth Graff of Wheaton; several cherished nieces and nephews; and many good friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Roland.
The visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, at Davenport Family Funeral Home & Crematory, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave. (Route 176), Crystal Lake. Services will be private at Union Cemetery in St. Charles.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Cancer Society, 143 First St., Batavia, IL 60510.
For information, call the funeral home at 815-459-3411.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gary Graff
John Erwin
February 14, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Graff family at this time in their loss. Although our paths have not crossed in many years it was always great to talk and work with him. He will be missed.
Bridget Cobert
February 12, 2009
My deepest sympathies to your family. I had the pleasure of working with Gary while employed with Don E. Williams/Hagemeyer, Kennametal FSS, and MSC Industrial Supply in and around the Quad Cities. He was a wonderful sales rep and a great man that many will miss dearly. He touched many lives and I only heard good things about Gary from everyone that knew him in the industry. May God bless your family and help you heal through this tremendous loss.
February 12, 2009
Our deepest regrets on the passing of a wonderful guy.
Your friends at
Global Industrial Supplies
Bill, Tom and John
Delorese McElreath
February 12, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Bill Wenter
February 12, 2009
My deepest sympathy to the Graff family. A true friend. I had the pleasure of knowing Gary the last nine years. Gary and I had a lot of fun betting on the Bears game each year against the Packers. He will truly will be missed.
Nicki Mace
February 11, 2009
To the Graff family,
Please accept my deepest sympathies on the loss of Gary. You will be in my thoughts and prayers during these difficult days.
Sub Coord. CLSD47
Chuck Eberly
February 11, 2009
Unfortunately I never met Mr. Graff, but I have met his son, Ryan, and I am confident that Gary Graff's life is reflected through his son. When Ryan sees something that needs attention, he works until the job is done. Then, when the job is done, he praises those around him for their effort and does not seek praise for himself. If I read the memories of others correctly, Gary Graff modeled the way for Ryan. I am sad that we will never have the opportunity to meet in this life. Had we done so, I would have joined with him in singing Bowling Green's Alma Mater.
Russell Morris, Jr
February 11, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with all the entire family during this time of sorrow. I hope and pray that your grieving be pass soon. The couple of times I had the pleasure to meet Gary were fun and he was the type of person that you immediately accepted as a friend. I know you will miss him dearly but as they always say (and I believe this) he will ALWAYS be with you.
God Bless
Charlie Lang
February 10, 2009
I was saddened to hear of Gary's passing. This goes back a few years, but Gary and I spent many fun trips over a period of several years traveling the Dakotas, Kansas, Iowa, and other exotic places visiting military bases selling tools while I was at Grainger. Two highlights I remember of Gary....his fun personality and his uncommon generosity to give the shirt off his back for a friend. He will be greatly missed.
Gary Skott
February 10, 2009
Judy and Tara,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Gary Skott
Jan Van Hoorebeke
February 10, 2009
Dear Graff Family,
I had the honor of knowing and working with Gary for many years and he was a wonderful man. Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. Your family will be in my prayers. GOD bless.
Sue Bryant
February 10, 2009
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this dificult time.
Bob Lanoue
February 10, 2009
Judy & The Graff family,
Gary was a special friend to me. He provided me with great support both personally and at work. I always enjoyed
talking to him about his wonderful Chicago Bears! I also enjoyed our many golf outings, and especially our great day at Black Wolf Run. I have our picture together of that day, and it is a fixture on my desk. I would like to express my sympathy to Judy and the Graff family. Having Gary as my friend, was a positive influence on my life. Gary, I will miss you pal!
Bob Lanoue
Dan Buckley
February 10, 2009
Please accept my deepest and heartfelt condolences. I feel blessed to have known Gary, not only as a colleague but, more importantly, as a friend. May God bless his family.
Liane Roelke
February 10, 2009
Graff Family,
My sincere condolences.
I enjoyed working with Gary the past 17 years. He was a wonderful man and friend to our office.
Gary will be missed..
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kathy Remm
February 10, 2009
To Gary's family please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. I worked with Gary for the past 17 years and was also honored to have him as a friend.
Patti Fitzpatrick
February 9, 2009
Dear Judy, Dale, Ryan and Tara...I want all of you to know that I am thinking about you and that all of you are in my heart and in my prayers.
Kevin Johnson
February 9, 2009
Dear David and Family:
My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Gary was a mentor and a friend. I will never forget all of the laughs we shared at countless customer shows, and the fun business trip to Rapid City, SD. Gary will be missed!
Steve and Joan Higbee
February 9, 2009
To Gary's Family: The world has lost a cool man! Some of my favorite times at Grainger were the days that Gary and I traveled together. I will miss the talks about our families, life, work and the joys of a good Merlot.
Heaven just got one of the best!
With deepest sympathy,
Steve and Joan Higbee
Andrew Ramieri
February 9, 2009
I am so sorry to here of your loss. My condolances to your intire family. You and your family will be in our prayers.
mark carlton
February 9, 2009
Gary will be miissed by all and I would like to offer my condolances to your intire family. It was my pleasure to have known and worked with Gary these past six years.
Mike Morgan
February 9, 2009
It was a great honor and pleasure
to have worked with Gary at Stanley-Proto , but even a greater honor to have called him a friend.
God Bless,
Mike Morgan
Jill Albers
February 9, 2009
Our sincere condolences from the staff at Hagemeyer in New Berlin, Wisconsin. We worked with Gary for many years and it was always a pleasure to have him visit. His positive attitude and sense of humor made him such a wonderful person to spend time with. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Graff Family.
-Hagemeyer North America - New Berlin
Brian Hicks
February 9, 2009
Dear Judy and Family,
I would like to extend my condolences and deepest sympathy to the entire Graff family. I had the priviledge and honor of working with Gary for 9 years at Stanley. He always had the best attitude and outlook on life and I never heard him complain. He truly set an example for others to follow. Proverbs 3:5-6
With Deepest Sympathy,
Brian Hicks
Stanley Proto (Nashville, TN)
Matt Fletcher
February 9, 2009
My sincere condolences to the family. I knew Gary fairly well but was privileged to get know him more over the past 2 years. Extremely generous and kind hearted are the words that come to mind when I think of Gary Graff. He will be missed.
Mary Lannen
February 9, 2009
My sincere condolences to your family. Gary was a great guy and we enjoyed his visits at Hagemeyer.
He will be missed.
Stu Feldman
February 9, 2009
Dear Judy:
I knew Gary for almost 20 years and will definitely miss him; he was good person that I had a lot of respect for.
It is my hope that time will eventually allow you and your family to concentrate on the positives that that his legacy has left behind.
Please extend my condolences to the entire Graff family.
Sincerely,
Stu Feldman
Judy (Consuela) Whitehead
February 9, 2009
Judy, David (007) and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this sad time. Gary (008) was a great man. I really enjoyed working with him and we kidded all the time about his secret mission. I called him 008. His createst mission now rest with God May God Bless you and your family.
Greg Nickels
February 9, 2009
My sincere condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.
Grainger Industrial Supply
February 9, 2009
Many of us here at Grainger in Milwaukee have worked with Gary for many years. His passing has surprised and saddened us all. He was a great man with an amazing personality. He will be sadly missed. Our sympathies go out to his family during this difficult time
Ed Hughes
February 9, 2009
Judy and Family
My sincere condolences. Gary was a great friend and associate. You and your family are in my prayers.
Cheryl Hill
February 9, 2009
My prayers and condolences to the family. I talked to Gary almost everyday. He will be missed! May God bless you thru this time of sorrow.
Donna Tynan
February 9, 2009
Dearest Judy and family,
I am so very sorry to hear about Gary. My heart goes out to you and the kids and Gary's mom. What can I do for you? You know that you and Gary are like family to me. I love you and wish I could be there to support you.
The Mruks
February 9, 2009
Our deepest sympathy. Gary was a great co-worker....and a better friend.
Doug LaFrombois
February 9, 2009
Gary worked with us in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan with Stanley Proto. He was highly respected and liked by the people here. We considered Gary a good friend and will miss him a great deal!
Our condolences to Gary's family.
Industrial Distribution Group
Matthew Henry
February 9, 2009
My family and I wish to express our condolences and will keep you and your family in our prayers. Gary was a good guy and a strong man. He will be missed.
Janet Caldwell
February 9, 2009
My prayers are with the entire family. This loss is not easy for anyone who consider Gary a part of their family or a friend. He was the best of the best.
Frankie Johnson
February 9, 2009
Judy and family,
Please accept my deepest sympathies. I have worked with Gary for many years and he is one of the finest people I know. The Lord is receiving a wonderful addition and we will surely miss him. You are in my prayers. Frankie
Wayne Pelley
February 9, 2009
My sincere condolences.
Bob Williams
February 8, 2009
The Earth has lost a Special Man and the Heavens have welcomed a New Angel. God has Gary in his hands.
Gary Ray
February 8, 2009
My sincere sympathy to the Graff family for your loss.
Gary will be in my prayers.
Godspeed.
Dennis Graff
February 8, 2009
Judy, Dale, Ryan and Tara:
We all hope all goes well for you and your family.
Gary was a great wonderful person. A great husband, father and brother. We all will miss his very much. God Bless You All! Den, Sa, Stephen, Andrea, and Kristen
Dave Hahn
February 8, 2009
Judy, Dale, Tara, and Ryan, though it has been a long time since I've seen you, we are truly sorry for your loss. Dave and Donna Hahn Gary, my boyhood friend I will always cherish my good times with you and though my heart is saddened my memories bring tearful glee to me. I will miss you and wish you peace. Good bye classmate WCHS 72.
Paul Littledale
February 8, 2009
My deepest sympathy to the Graff familoes. I enjoyed his passion for the tool business. PAL
Susan Mazzoccoli
February 8, 2009
My heart goes out to you at this time and in the days ahead.
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