Edward Clement Graven, 71, of Fairhope, died peacefully Sunday, March 2, 2008 in Assisi, Italy, while on a pilgrimage.
He was born June 6, 1936 in Albertson, N.Y., raised in Federalsburg, Md., and lived in Birmingham and Louisville before retiring to Fairhope in 2005.
He served in the U.S. Air Force and graduated from Jacksonville State University where he met the love of his life, Josephine LaRussa. They were wed in 1961 and began a lifelong adventure.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and Past Grand Knight of Council 7213. At the time of his death, he was a member of Council 8959. He also served as District Deputy of the K of C District 015. He was an active member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church.
He loved to see a smile and enjoyed making others laugh. His greatest joy was spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. he was a Bama football fan, enjoyed hot air balloons, bird watching and nature. He believed in living life to the fullest. He was a gentleman and scholar and all will miss his kind, generous spirit.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Katherine Graven, sister, Joan Zaruba, and brother-in-law, Richard Zaruba.
Survivors include his loving wife, Jo Graven; four children, Edward C. (Priscilla) Graven II; Katherine (Rick) Roach, Dawn (Gregory) Brown and Gina Graven; grandchildren, Michael and Nicholas (April) Rawlins, Chirstina and David Roach, Brittany and Garrett Brown; nieces and nephews, Amy Zaruba (Roger) Cannon; Richard (Cindy) Zaruba, Beth Zaruba (Alan) Riffe, Mary (Kathy) Zaruba, many nieces and nephews from the LaRussa family.
Visitation and reciting of the Rosary was held Tuesday, March 11 at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home in Trussville. A Celebration of Life Mass was celebrated Wednesday, March 12 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Huffman. Interment followed at Jefferson Memorial Gardens East.
A memorial Mass will be held at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Fairhope at a future date.
The family requests memorial donations be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society, Archangel Catholic Radio in Fairhope, or to the diabetes, heart, cancer or kidney foundations.
Arrangements were made by Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, Trussville.
