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Paul McGraw Obituary



McGRAW PAUL E. McGRAW JR. On May 27, 2008, Paul McGraw of Virginia Beach, VA went home to the Lord. Paul retired as a Senior Executive Service member (Civilian Flag Officer) from the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) after 33 years of Federal Service to our great nation in Arlington, VA. Paul then served as an 8th grade Social Studies teacher at Salem Middle School in Virginia Beach for ten years, from 1993- 2003. He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Grace Cooney McGraw; his three sons and their wives: Jason (Michele), Terrence (Jennifer), Matthew (Cassie), and eight beautiful grandchildren; his father Paul McGraw, his siblings and their spouses Jean, Janet (Phil), Kathi, and Kevin (Susan). Visitation and Mass will take place at 10 am on Monday, June 2, 2008 at Nativity Catholic Church, Old Keene Mill Rd, Burke, Virginia with Fr. Tuck Grinnell offering the Mass. Paul will be laid to rest following the Mass at Columbia Gardens Cemetery, 3411 Arlington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201. In lieu of flowers, the family would deeply appreciate a written personal memory of time spent with Paul for their memory book at http:// www.hollomon-brown.com/ .

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

Published by The Washington Post on May 29, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
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Andy Mastic

June 1, 2008

Dear Grace and Family

Paul was special. I first met paul when I attended a Cursillo Weekend in 1977. Paul was on team. We then were in group reunion for quite some time until his duties took him out of the N. Va. area. We have kept in contact in various ways over the years. My best memory is when I hosted a Sat. Morning Special Ultreya for 20 men at 7:00am and the concrete truck with eight yards of concrete arrived at 7:15. We all "prayed" that concrete into my driveway. Paul was the last to leave about 2:30pm. May Paul rest in peace......Let us all pray for Grace and all of the family as they continue their journey here on earth.

Barbara Molloy

May 31, 2008

It is with great sorrow in my heart that I enter these words. Paul was a dear and loving cousin. There are so many memories … from living across the street to driving through states to spend some time together made for great memories that I’ll cherish always. They are all special … from sneaking down to the Bronx river, to spinning on grandma Salmon’s piano stool, to Celtic roof escapades, to devil’s den, to mud filled shoes from the banks of the Potomac, to root-beer floats, to Broadway theater, to family gatherings and of course, GOLF. He will always be in my heart and in my thoughts and prayers. I’m honored to be one of the apples that fell from the same tree of life with him. I’ll love him always.
I love you all and my prayers are with you.
Barbara

Paul holding Kathi

Kathi McGraw

May 30, 2008

Yesterday I passed a church with one of those message signs that read, “A Christian life well-lived is a sign of hope to a searching world.” Well, to all of you fellow searchers for hope in this broken world, I offer the shining example of the life of my beloved brother Paul. Paul was a uniquely beautiful sign of God’s love to all who knew him. He continually preached the Gospel—not by using words but by the caring and compassionate way he treated everybody. I thank God for granting me the privilege of being Paul’s sister. He always made me feel that I was a special, talented, and beautiful person (especially when I wasn’t feeling that way about myself at all!). And everytime we parted, he made a point of telling me how much he loved me. How blessed I was to have the gift of his unfailing love. When I bought a house, he organized an informal family housewarming party. When I got an answering machine, he made a point of being the first person to leave a message on it. When I had a biopsy, he was the first one to call to find out how I was doing. One Valentine’s day, he left an anonymous box of candy at my doorstep just so I, as a single woman, wouldn’t feel forgotten. When I went to visit him, he always acted absolutely delighted to see me and we would have the most wonderful conversations. As I have said many times before, I always wanted to marry a man like my brother. Small wonder that I never found one who was his equal. Well, dear brother, I trust that you are resting comfortably at last in one of the many mansions in our heavenly Father’s house. God willing, I will meet you there again one glorious day and we will continue the conversation.

Jim LaFemina

May 30, 2008

Dearest Uncle Paul, We thank the Lord for blessing us all by having you help shape, enrich and influence our lives. All my childhood McGraw Family memories have you at the forefront. The joy and laughter we shared at holiday gatherings, your sharp sense of wit and wisdom, ability to turn even the simplest story into a laugh-out-loud experience and your true commitment to family is an influence that shaped the image of man I wanted to be in the future. We thank you for enriching our lives in so many ways and please know your memory will continue to warm us through the years!

With Love, Jimmy

Karen Lynn

May 28, 2008

I will always remember Paul from our years teaching together. He always had a kind word to say and cared deeply for the students he taught. What I will remember the most is his words of comfort and wisdom he gave to me as I went through trying times in my personal life. We all will remember him fondly and lovingly and miss him dearly.

Connie Rasner

May 28, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Grace, and your family. Paul will be missed.

Connie and David Rasner
Stephanie and Gavin Rasner

Michele McGraw

May 28, 2008

We love you Grandpa and we will miss you,
Love, Nathan, Sami, Nicky & Megan

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