John Joseph Graff

John Joseph Graff,89, of Harrisville died Friday, October 11, 2013 at Tendercare Greenview in Alpena. He was born March 19, 1924 in Detroit to Edward and Caroline (Fitzpatrick) Graff. Raised in Detroit, John was in the Navy in WWII, where he served in the Asiatic Pacific and participated in the second battle of Midway Island. He attended the University of Detroit, majoring in Journalism. He followed his father's footsteps and joined the Detroit Police Department where he worked from 1949 until his retirement in 1974. On September 29, 1956 he married Suzanne Young. They resided in Detroit. She passed away on July 29, 1970. In 1974 John moved to Harrisville. He had been a visitor to the area for many years, hunting in Glennie and the AuSable River area. He was a devoted Catholic and was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church of Harrisville and the Knights of Columbus, Alcona Council. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Alcona Post 6466 of Harrisville. John is survived by four daughters, Judy (Warren) MacNeill of Harrisville, Louise Dodd of Howell,Linda (Mark) Stender of Alpena and Jean (Kevin) Kubiszewski of Grand Rapids, Twelve grandchildren, Megan MacNeill, Scott MacNeill,Kevin Dodd, Joe Dodd, Anna Dodd, Emma Dodd, Melissa (Robert) Stender-Clarke,Phillip Stender, Michael (Carly) Stender, Marie Stender, Kayla Kubiszewski and John Kubiszewski. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Edward, Robert and Richard. An infant son preceded him in death in 1957. Visitation will be Friday, October 18, 2013 from 4-8 P.M. at Gillies Funeral Home, Harrisville. There will be a rosary at the Funeral Home, 7 P.M. on Friday. Visitation continues at the funeral home Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until the funeral at 11:00 A.M.. Rev. Lawrence Boks will officiate. Burial will be in Springport Cemetery, Harrisville. Memorials suggested to Hospice of Michigan,or St. Vincent DePaul Society, Mikado. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Joseph Graff, please visit our flower store.