Gilford-----Benjamin Graves, 82, of 949 Cherry Valley Road, died at the Lakes Region General Hospital, Laconia on Tuesday, March 27, 2012.
Mr. Graves was born April 30, 1929 in Shawano, Wisconsin, the son of Vernon and Viola (Zerwas) Graves.
Mr. Graves served in the U. S. Army. He lived in Cos Cob, CT before moving to Gilford sixteen years ago. He had been employed at Olin Chemicals and American Can Co. before retiring eighteen years ago.
Mr. Graves was a member of the Gilford Conservation Commission. He was an avid fisherman, skier, golfer and enjoyed gardening and berry picking.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth (Melbauer) Graves of Gilford; three daughters, Ann Wantuch of Grantham, N.H., Pam Irvine of Stamford, CT and Cindy Puchalski of Johns Creek, Georgia and six grandchildren, Michael and David Wantuch, Matthew and James Irvine and Kaylee and Lindsay Puchalski. He was predeceased by his parents.
There will be no calling hours.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 9:00AM at St. Andre Bessette Parish – Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia, N. H.
The family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, online at www.pdf.org or via mail to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY, 10018.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.