John "Jack" Graber

John “Jack” Graber of Troy, New York died peacefully on Saturday, February 11 at the age of 91 surrounded by his family. He is the son of the late Hugh Graber and Anna Broderick of Troy.  He attended Catholic Central High School and left home at the age of 18 to serve during WWII from 1944 to 1946. He was a member of the 75th Infantry Division during the Battle of the Bulge and received a European Campaign Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart and Bronze Star. When he returned from the war, he married his sweetheart, Lois (Robinson) Graber who had written a letter to him every single day while he was away. They were married for 67 years until her passing in 2014.

Jack worked at the former General Electric silicone plant in Waterford, New York for 45 years until his retirement in 1992. For many years he participated in the Perpetual Adoration of the Most Holy Eucharist at St. Paul’s and St. Augustine’s churches, serving the times most difficult to fill in the wee hours of the morning.  He was also a Rosary Captain for the America Needs Fatima Rosary Rallies held on Wolf Road in Colonie. Jack was a member of the American Legion Troy, Order of the Purple Heart Veterans of Foreign Wars, 75th Infantry Division Veterans Association and Hudson Valley Chapter of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge.

He is pre-deceased by his son, Gary Graber, brothers, Hugh, Howard and Harold Graber, and sister, Rosemary Struzenski. He is survived by his brother Paul Graber, three sons, Jack (Karen) of Niskayuna, Mark (Kathy) of Lansingburgh, and Stephen (Joely) of Spiegletown; three daughters, Claudia Mahoney (John) of Lansingburgh, Beverly Guthrie (Jeff) of Lansingburgh and Denise Lewis (Scott) of Latham;  daughter-in-law Joanne Graber of Rotterdam; twenty grandchildren, and twenty-three great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

To know Jack was to love him and he was a hero to so many. The family thanks the wonderful staff and caregivers at The Eddy Memorial Terrace and Samaritan Hospital.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 9:30 am on Friday, February 17, 2017 at St. Augustine’s Church, Lansingburgh. Burial will follow at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. Relative and friends are invited and may call from 4 to 7:00 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at McLoughlin & Mason Funeral Home, corner of 109th Street and Third Avenue, Lansingburgh.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leatherstocking Honor Flight Program at www.leatherstockinghonorflight.org. Please visit www.mcloughlinmason.com.