Bernard J DeGraff

Bernard J. DeGraff, Sr., 93, departed this life on May 19, 2018.

He was a native of Glenville, NY. He now joins his wife, Katherine H. DeGraff who passed away on April 15, 2017 at Glendale Nursing Home, where she received the finest care.

They met at the Palace Roller Rink on January 10, 1946, two days after he returned from the war. They were married on Christmas Eve, 1946.Bernard served in WWII in the European Theater of Operations. First serving with the 36th Tank Battalion and later with the fames 709th Tank Battalion. He took part in three major campaigns: The Ardennes, Central Europe and the Rhineland.

Bernard and Katherine lived a very long, successful life and enjoyed it immensely. Beautiful vacations were enjoyed with all of the grandchildren in Maine each and every year.

We are forever grateful for the love and attention given by Mema (GMa) and Pa to our children. He is survived by his children, Bernard J. DeGraff, Jr. and his wife, Sandy; Kathleen M. Pierson and her husband, Neil. Grandchildren, Jesse DeGraff and wife, Laura, Seth DeGraff and his wife, Danielle, Zachary DeGraff and his wife, Missy, Ashley Pierson and his wife, Cheryl, Whitney Pierson. Great-grandchildren, Cole and Bailey Pierson, Elijah Pierson and Quinlan DeGraff.

The following poem was written in 1918: In Flanders Field the poppies blow between the crosses, row on row that mark our place; and in the sky the larks, still bravely singing fly scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead! Short days ago we lived, felt dawn, saw the sunset glow, loved and were loved, and now we lie in the Flanders Field!

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