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In Loving Memory of William J. "Bill" Graffeo
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March 1, 1914
January 20, 2009
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I'd like the memory of me
to be a happy one,
I'd like to leave an afterglow
of smiles when life is done.
I'd like to leave an echo
whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing
times and bright and sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who
grieve, to dry before the sun
Of happy memories that I leave
When life is done.
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GRAFFEO, William J. "Bill" William J. "Bill" Graffeo, 94, of White Birch Lane, Avon,
husband of the late Dorothy (Wheate) Graffeo, died Tuesday, (January 20, 2009) at home.
He was born March 1, 1914, in Brooklyn, NY, son of the late Salvatore and Josephine
(Giaramita) Graffeo and had lived in Avon since 1961. Bill was a graduate of Bushwick
High School in Brooklyn, NY and was a graduate of Heffley's Business College. He was a
veteran of World War II having served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the China-Burma-India
Theater of Operations from 1942 to 1946. Mr. Graffeo was associated with the shoe business
since the age of 14 working after school and during vacations. He was an associate with the
Knapp Shoe Co., for over 50 years as a Salesman, District Manager and Sales Manager
until 1985. After retiring from supervisory work, he represented Knapp as a Sales
Representative and Counselor. Bill was a long standing member of the Prince Thomas
of Savoy Club, a member of the United Commercial Travelers Association and a lifetime member
of the Gildo Consolini VFW Post #3272 having served as Chaplain for many years, as well as
a member of the post's Color Guard. Bill was also a charter member of UNICO National, Avon
Chapter since 1984 serving as Sergeant of Arms and Chaplain for 20 years. His devoted and
tireless effort in fund raising for UNICO's Annual Scholarships presented to seniors at
Avon High School afforded him the honor of UNICO naming an annual scholarship in his name,
The William Graffeo Scholarship. He single handedly raised over $100,000 throughout these
many years of soliciting local business for ads in his pet project, the Ad Booklet for UNICO's
pasta dinner and golf tournament.
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He is survived by his daughter, Doreen Green of Avon; his son, Ronald Graffeo of North Carolina;
two granddaughters, Erin Green of San Francisco, CA and Kylie Green and her husband Sam Agris
of Philadelphia, PA; a brother and sister-in-law, Leonard and Julie Graffeo of Dunwoody, GA;
and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Anna Piazza. Friends may call
at the Vincent Funeral Home, 120 Albany Turnpike, Canton, Saturday, January 24, 9-11 a.m.
followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, 11:30 a.m. at The Church of St. Ann, Avon. Burial
with Military Honors will be in St. Ann's Cemetery, Avon. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations
may be made in his name to The William Graffeo Scholarship, c/o Avon Chapter of UNICO National,
P.O. Box 1442, Avon, CT 06001 or to the VFW Post #3272, c/o Bill Newman, 17 Stonefield Road,
Avon, CT 06001. For online condolences or directions please visit www.vincentfuneralhome.com.
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