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FUNERAL HOME

McAvoy O'Hara

4545 Geary Blvd.

San Francisco, California

James Graff Obituary

James William Graff

August 18, 1970 - December 25, 2019

James Graff of San Francisco passed away at home on Wednesday morning. He was most notably known as "Jim" or "Jimmy" to his close friends and family. He was a long time vendor at Candlestick Park, The Cow Palace, Oakland, Pac Bell Park, AT&T Park and finally, Oracle Park. Jimmy was a strong supporter of the San Francisco Zoo and a long time member of The Exploritorium. He was a dedicated San Francisco Giants fan and he had many friends in every corner of San Francisco.
Jim is survived by his mother and father, Diane Louise Bradley and William Woodring Graff, both of San Francisco; two sisters, Mardoux (Battaglia) and Elizabeth (Collins), his four children and two grandchildren.
Friends are invited to celebrate, Jimmy on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 from 2pm until 4pm at McAvoy O'Hara Co., Geary at 10th Ave. in San Francisco.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Dec. 27 to Dec. 28, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for James Graff

Sponsored by McAvoy O'Hara The Evergreen Mortuary.

37 Entries

Colt

December 21, 2022

Every time I go to the Coliseum, I think of Jimmy and miss him. Every day, I hang up my keys using the carousel ring he gave me, because I was the only person who correctly identified it, and I remember him and miss him. He was such a thoughtful, kind, and deeply interesting person.

Deb Cano

December 21, 2021

Jim , you cross my mind often. Thank you for your kindness.

Tara Brown

September 28, 2021

I looked up Jim because he was my boyfriend when I was 15 and he was 17. I used to take the train up from San Jose and he would sneak me into Candlestick. So sorry he passed. When someone says "so?" I still say "so? Sew buttons on your underwear" some saying I picked up from him that stuck with me. Just a tiny piece of legacy I picked up from him and carried on. We are all a conglomeration of each other in that way. He will not be forgotten.

Stu Barnes

July 17, 2020

I'm a little late to do this, but would feel remiss if I didn't leave some words for a good friend. I first 'met' Jimmy at Pacific Cafe off of Geary. I had brought my visiting parents in, and Jimmy was eating at the booth across from us, and effectively became part of the family that night. We talked baseball and the City and about family into the night over seafood and crappy wine. It was awesome. I hadn't realized that I had been seeing Jimmy at least once every time I went to a game at either park. We remembered each other's names after that evening, and from that night on, having a quick catch up with Jimmy became one of the things I looked forward to the most at the park. Eventually it became one of the things I looked forward to just in life in general. He was such a sincere and real person, it must have been hard for anyone to stay strangers with him. He had a welcoming heart, something that's becoming a thing of the past in San Francisco. He was one of the best this city has ever had to offer, and he will be truly missed. Rest in peace, friend. You left the world a better place than it was before you.

January 3, 2020

Tony Ribera

December 31, 2019

I've known Jimmy since the ballpark opened in 2000. Initially, I was drawn by the hot dogs, which are the best. As time went on we became friends. Jimmy always remembered my name. He had an infectious smile and loved to chat. We mostly talked baseball and sometimes he'd fill me in on his remodeling jobs. I will miss him. God bless you, my friend.

Paul Gallegos

December 31, 2019

I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I worked and hung out with him for many years and he always stopped by my seats to say hi to my wife and I at the Giants games. Jim was a great guy to know and I will miss him a lot. We always talked shop about the good old days and he would fill me in about his family's latest news.i haven't vended in 30 years yet he made me feel like I was still part of the vendor family. I will miss you Jim. Peace.

December 30, 2019

Jim made it a point to get to the third base field box early so I could ask him if the hot dogs were fresh, was his educated student Hal on board, and could he come back later. Always a smile and a smart answer. He was the ultimate people person.

Sam Moriana Premium Seating with the A's

Joseph Melanson

December 30, 2019

Jimmy: I will always fondly remember all the hot dogs at Giant's games going all the way back to Candlestick. You never failed to have a joke and a smile to with the mustard on my "dog". Rest in Peace my friend.

December 29, 2019

Alanna Dee

December 29, 2019

Jimmy,
Thanks for all the times we laughed together as I made my morning walk into work. You were always so gracious to me and my ever growing clan of kiddos. My thoughts are with you and your loved ones. Rest in paradise friend.

Erin Flynn

December 29, 2019

Jimmy, big heart, bigger personality. Gonna miss you. My love and condolences to the family. The world won't be the same without you.
Love Always

Janet Clyde

December 29, 2019

Rest in Peace Jimmy,
Thank you for the joy you brought to me, and to so many people!
I will never forget the cotton candy you brought to Art in the Alley and the kids faces when they found out it was free

Brittany M.

December 29, 2019

Rest in Peace Jimmy, You will be greatly missed ♡
Thank You for always being so kind to Me, you had such a good heart.

Susan Romley Moranz and family

December 29, 2019

Sending our deepest condolences to Jimmy's family and friends... He loved life and every one he'd meet along the way. Every time we'd see him at the ballpark he'd have a smile and shared his love for baseball. It seems that he never forgot a face. May his memory be eternal.

Jim Graff vending hot dogs at an A's baseball game, 2018

The Hol 'n Jam Crew

December 28, 2019

Our deepest condolences to Jim's family and loved ones for their loss. Jim, or Jimbo, as many of us referred to him, was well liked and a solid presence in our company. His energy was always larger than life, as was his personality.

Jimbo was a regular hot dog vendor at Giants games and A's games. He was also a regular vendor at the rodeo every year. He had friends everywhere, and almost everyone knew his name, face, and booming voice. Jim always seemed to find a way to make any situation a little funnier with his wit.

Rest in peace, Jimbo. A truly wonderful person, you will be missed.

Maire Dwan

December 28, 2019

I met James almost 20 years ago at the SF Zoo doing food service. He was my manager and taught me most everything I know about food service. When I turned 18 he pushed me into being a supervisor and showed me that quiet, shy and timid me could be a boss too. When I had to open the Playfield Cafe by myself, he said something like "Look, if you can get this place cleaned up and ready to open tomorrow then I will take you to dinner at the Cliff House" Little did I know he knew everyone there too and received VIP treatment. A few seasons later after a rough summer day at the Zoo, he took me to the Beach Chalet, where I had my first legal drink. James was part of our SF Zoo family. He was the "cool boss" Yes, it is true, he could fix almost anything! He taught me soo much and I am forever grateful for that. He later lived with room mates at my father's house on Henry street (SF) in 2005. He was one of the last real Carnies. I can still hear him telling the story of the 1989 World Series @ Candlestick Park when the earthquake hit. "All the tiles were falling off the walls and it sounded like someone was shaking a rain stick" He had some of the coolest stories. I think it's a bit ironic that he passed away on Christmas because I believe he never grew up and was the biggest kid ever! I lost my mom on Christmas 24 years ago, now I have a second candle to light for James. James was an icon in SF and will be missed by soo many.

Jim Reese

December 28, 2019

Sorry to hear of Jimmy's passing! I always enjoyed seeing him at Giant's games and when he stopped into Vesuvio. I met his mother, Diane and she was a lovely woman. My condolences to his family. R.I.P. Jimmy!

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Mary Collins

December 27, 2019

The laughter you brought to others will never be forgotten. You were loved by all, and especially by your family. We love Uncle Jimmy and the time we had together!

Justin Kerwin

December 27, 2019

I'm so sad I've know jim since we were teens at candlestick park he & I wrk Harry m Stevens along with his dad bill & my dad Greg Kerwin jr such huge loss I'm in shock gonna miss him dearly I talked to him every game we worked at the park rip jim His words Hey hotdogs!!!!

Joe Goodman

December 27, 2019

Jimmy,
I am saddened to learn of your passing. I always enjoyed your company, you taught me something new about San Francisco and many other topics every time we met. I look forward to catching up on old times when I see you again. Rest In Peace my friend.

McCall M

December 27, 2019

I'm so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. We often hung out when working at the Zoo and at the Last Day Saloon. And loved seeing him at Giants games. My condolences to his friends and family.

Jimmy having a conversation with his Jesus action figure

Jonathon Collins Jr.

December 27, 2019

You never failed to put a smile on my face. I love you so much, thank you for being who you were and leaving me with an uncountable amount of good memories with you.

Ryan Maderios

Sent Flowers

Deb Cano

December 27, 2019

So very sorry to hear of Jimmy's passing. I last ran into him at a Disney on Ice I took my Mom to. He was so animated and kind. He was always kind. Rest easy Jimmy till we hug again. My condolences to family and friends.

December 27, 2019

George Reed

December 27, 2019

Very Sorry to her of Jimmy's passing,he was a very personal person , which I shared many a conversation's .
Will miss this intelgent gentlemen.
RIP Jimmy
George A. Reed

December 27, 2019

Jim Graff, modeling the new hot dog vendor outfit for the A's games, 2017

Chandler Adams

December 27, 2019

So sorry to hear of this. So sudden and quite a shock.

Good ol' Jimbo. We talked many times. Subjects ranged from vending and parenting, to the best local pub/grub spots in SF, to philosopy, politics and even physics. He was a good conversationalist, and could figure out how fix almost anything.

Jim was a rock at work. No matter the circumstance, he followed through. When it was busy, he showed up. When it was a dud, he showed up. Extra events popped up on the schedule: he was there early. A bit of a ham, Jim was a crowd favorite with his hot dog tin at Giants and A's games. Loud and boisterous, you always knew when Jim Graff was in the building. He made his presence known.

Damn, I'm gonna miss him. A lot.

Shari Lowery

December 27, 2019

To the Graff family. We are sorry to hear of your loss. Lots of memories at the varous stadiums. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May memories of good times bring comfort. Shari & Mike Lowery and Doug Heater

J Collins

December 27, 2019

See you on the other side, brother.

Sheryl Law

December 27, 2019

I am so sorry to hear of Jimmy's passing. I know him from the Oakland Coliseum and he was always a lovey, smart and engaging person. He worked hard but, still, always made us smile. He will be missed.

A H

December 27, 2019

I am so very sorry to hear of your great loss. I pray for comfort and peace as you grieve. With love...

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