1932
Walter
2016
Walter George Graetz
February 20, 1932 — September 24, 2016
Walter George Graetz
Walter George Graetz, 84, of Port Saint Lucie, Florida, died Saturday, September 24, 2016.
He is survived by his wife Joan of 62 years; his two daughters, Linda (Steven) Brooks, of Bowdoin, Maine, Lori Szalay of Rochester, New York; 4 grandchildren, Amanda Kraus, Trevor Kraus, Ryan Szalay and Cara Siebert; 5 great-grandchildren, Jenna, Ryder, Evan, Lyla and Walker. He was preceded in death by his father George, mother Anna and sister Helen Hollis.
He was born in Brooklyn, New York and moved to Port Saint Lucie, Florida in 2002. He was a semi-pro soccer player and served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning, he tried out and was offered a place on the N.Y. Giants Major League baseball team but opted to remain in New York to raise his family. But he never left baseball behind. He continued to play organized baseball until age 42 alongside his two nephews, Steve and Rick Hollis. He was a successful self-employed building contractor while working full-time as a Superintendent of Mount Carmel Cemetery in Glendale, New York for over 30 years. He raised his family in Queens, New York and upon retirement built a lakeside home in Limerick, Maine. Retirement was a new beginning for Walter. He coached the Bonny Eagle H.S. girls soccer and boys baseball teams. He was an accomplished woodworker who built, among other things, rocking horses for each of his 4 grandchildren.
After moving to Port Saint Lucie, he remained active by playing golf, working at the PGA Learning Center and as an usher at Tradition Field for the N.Y Mets.
He truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures. He had an uncanny ability to reach people in a deep and positive way and left a lifelong impression on everyone he met. His favorite song was Rod Stewart’s “Forever Young.” In the hearts of those he left behind, he will always be forever young.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Walter’s memory to your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter.
Arrangements are under the direction of Haisley Funeral & Cremation Service. An online guest book may be signed at www.haisleyfuneralhome.com
Walter George Graetz, 84, of Port Saint Lucie, Florida, died Saturday, September 24, 2016.
He is survived by his wife Joan of 62 years; his two daughters, Linda (Steven) Brooks, of Bowdoin, Maine, Lori Szalay of Rochester, New York; 4 grandchildren, Amanda Kraus, Trevor Kraus, Ryan Szalay and Cara Siebert; 5 great-grandchildren, Jenna, Ryder, Evan, Lyla and Walker. He was preceded in death by his father George, mother Anna and sister Helen Hollis.
He was born in Brooklyn, New York and moved to Port Saint Lucie, Florida in 2002. He was a semi-pro soccer player and served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning, he tried out and was offered a place on the N.Y. Giants Major League baseball team but opted to remain in New York to raise his family. But he never left baseball behind. He continued to play organized baseball until age 42 alongside his two nephews, Steve and Rick Hollis. He was a successful self-employed building contractor while working full-time as a Superintendent of Mount Carmel Cemetery in Glendale, New York for over 30 years. He raised his family in Queens, New York and upon retirement built a lakeside home in Limerick, Maine. Retirement was a new beginning for Walter. He coached the Bonny Eagle H.S. girls soccer and boys baseball teams. He was an accomplished woodworker who built, among other things, rocking horses for each of his 4 grandchildren.
After moving to Port Saint Lucie, he remained active by playing golf, working at the PGA Learning Center and as an usher at Tradition Field for the N.Y Mets.
He truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures. He had an uncanny ability to reach people in a deep and positive way and left a lifelong impression on everyone he met. His favorite song was Rod Stewart’s “Forever Young.” In the hearts of those he left behind, he will always be forever young.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Walter’s memory to your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter.
Arrangements are under the direction of Haisley Funeral & Cremation Service. An online guest book may be signed at www.haisleyfuneralhome.com
To send flowers to the family in memory of Walter George Graetz, please visit our flower store.
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