Jay Graff

Jay Cleman Graff, 51, of Carroll Valley, passed away on Thursday, July 22, 2010, in the company of his family at the Hershey Medical Center, where he received the best possible care for esophageal cancer. Jay bravely faced his original diagnosis in September and his diagnosis of metastasis in June, stating "I know that with faith, heaven is my ultimate reward." He appreciated the hundreds of people who prayed for him and didn't want anyone to lose faith if he did not receive physical healing. He graciously accepted God's will.
Born on Valentine's Day 1959 in Kittanning, PA, he grew up in Red Wing, MN, Waupaca, WI, and Emmitsburg, MD. He graduated from Catoctin High School in 1977, and attended Western Maryland College and Frederick Community College. He worked at the Carroll Valley Golf Club, Fort Ritchie, and for the last 19 years at the Food and Drug Administration in Rockville, MD.
Jay will be missed by Karen, his wife of 27 years, daughters Angie and Justine, son-in-law Shane Gibbon, mother Gail Frantz, brothers Archie (Shawn) and Ed (Nicole), sisters Cari (Mike Cherry), and Geri (Wayne Duncan), and many other family members, friends, and co-workers. He was predeceased by his father, James Graff, an infant brother, and his grandparents.
In school he was in jazz band, concert band, and chorus, and played drums and keyboards in the local bands Back Again and Nightshift. He was an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Penguins, and Steelers, and Minnesota Vikings. He enjoyed traveling especially to Bar Harbor, ME, the White Mountains, NH, and Yellowstone National Park and putting up elaborate Christmas lights displays. He and Angie shared a love of horses. He felt lucky to walk Justine down the aisle at her wedding on June 26. His faith was strengthened by listening to the Truth for Life daily radio program. He was an active parishioner at St. Mary's Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus.



Everyone who knew Jay found him to be good-natured, fun-loving and kind. About 15 years ago his outlook on life was impacted when he watched an infomercial on the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. From that point on he had an even more positive outlook, believing that nothing in his life could be as bad as having childhood cancer, and that view continued through his own battle with the disease.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 AM, Monday, July 26, 2010 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Tract Rd., Fairfield, PA with the Rev. Fr. Michael Messaro Celebrant. Burial will be in the St. Mary's Cemetery, Fairfield, PA. Family will receive friends from 6-8 PM, Sunday, July 25, 2010 at the church. The Monahan Funeral Home, Fairfield is in charge of funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be made at monahanfh.com.