James L. McGraw Jr., 82, died Sunday evening, November 2, 2008 at Woodside Hospice House in Pinellas Park Florida . Born on February 15, 1926, he was the son of James and Mary (Dadey) McGraw.
He served in the U.S Navy during World War II and then attended LeMoyne University where he received a Business Degree. After graduating from college, Jay started his career in Syracuse New York with Carrier Air Conditioning. He later received a promotion and was transferred to St. Louis Missouri where he represented Lamson & Sessions as a Sales Engineer for many years. Jay enjoyed returning to Syracuse most every summer with his family and renting a cottage on DeRuyter Lake while golfing and grilling.
Jay enjoyed helping others. He recently received an award for his school crossing guard duties and took great pride in ensuring the safety of the children crossing the very busy street he patrolled. He also delivered Meals on Wheels to those in need and was the handyman for his retirement community. He liked to ride his bike and enjoyed the sunny weather of Florida for eight years.
He was predeceased by his wife Dorothy, his brother Bill McGraw, and his sister, Mary Carr.
He is survived by his wife Edith (Goeke), four sons, James, Michael, Thomas, and Patrick, one daughter, Kathleen (Zwick); one stepdaughter Jenni (Boresi) and one stepson Scott (Shepard); 8 grandchildren Meaghan, Kaitlyn, Ryan, Sarah, Samantha, Adam, Douglas and Emily; three brothers and two sisters, Capt. Joseph (Diana) McGraw, USN Ret. of Coupeville, WA, Raymond (Patricia) McGraw of Miami, FL, Rev. John T. McGraw of Syracuse, Teresa (Frederick) Valerino of Timonium, MD, and Alice (James) DeTore of Deerfield Beach, FL; as well as many nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30am Saturday, November 22, at Sacred Heart Church , Valley Park , Missouri with Monsignor John McGraw celebrating.
Burial will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery .
Contributions in Jay’s memory may be directed to Woodside Hospice, 6770 102nd Avenue N, Pinellas Park, Florida 33782.
