George Graffy

George Graffy died on Friday, October 26, 2018, 3 weeks before his 96th birthday, in Westminster, Colorado, after a rich, long life and a blessedly short illness. He follows his beloved wife, Marta (Csallány) Graffy, who preceded him in death and to whom he was married for over 70 years. Papa, as he was lovingly called, is survived by a family of nearly fifty, including six adult children: Katalin Warmkessel (Glenn, Florida), Aniko Banyas (Pennsylvania), Susanna (Rura) Graffy (Colorado), Marta Sparrow (David, Virginia), Elisabeth Graffy (Cris Carpenter, Wisconsin), and George M. Graffy (Fran, Texas); fifteen grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Born in Dés, a small city in Transylvania, Hungary, George studied business at the Hungarian Air Force Academy. During World War II, he served as a fighter pilot in the famed Puma Squadron of the Royal Hungarian Air Force. George immigrated to the United States in 1949 with his wife and young family. They lived in New York and Connecticut before moving to Trenton, New Jersey, and then settling in Levittown, Pennsylvania. After several years working in multiple jobs from farming to bridge-building, George earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration at Rider University, New Jersey, and enjoyed a short stint as an accountant before discovering his aptitude in the emerging field of computer science. He became one of the earliest computer programmers at Princeton University, retiring in 1988 after two decades as a Systems Analyst there and much loved as an astute and supportive team manager. George and Marta raised their six children in Pennsylvania, where they lived for 38 years. Equally proud of their adopted country and their Hungarian heritage, they cultivated many cherished family traditions that have shaped the lives of their children and continue to be passed on through the generations. Chief among those traditions are strong inter-generational connections through stories and holidays, cooking good food (especially a flavorful paprikás), spirited conversations, and lifelong learning. George never stopped reading, marking newsletters with a pen to highlight important points. He instilled deep values in his children and grandchildren, chief among them love of family and the importance of honesty, reliability, empathy, hard work, and duty. George’s family remembers long hikes in the woods and adventures sailing on the lakes of Pennsylvania and the coastal waters of Florida. His quirky sense of humor seems to be shared widely among the extended family. Papa’s greatest gift was storytelling. Besides sharing colorful tales about his youth in the Carpathian Mountains, Papa liked to reassure his young daughters about his experiences as a girl and told imaginative yarns about fantastic characters like Bob the Bee. His stories have touched each generation, and the importance of storytelling lives on in the Graffy family culture. George and Marta moved to Jensen Beach, Florida, after retirement and enjoyed a relaxed lifestyle for over a decade which they enthusiastically shared with their ever-growing clan. In 2001, they moved to the Rocky Mountains and the Covenant Village of Colorado retirement community, frequently hosting visiting family members. While we grieve the loss of our father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, we feel blessed to have had Papa in our lives for so long and rejoice in his legacy and in the hope that he is reunited with loved ones in the next life. A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, December 3, 2018, at 11:00 am at Spirit of Christ Catholic Community, 7400 W. 80th Ave., Arvada, CO. George will find his final resting place at Princeton Cemetery, Princeton, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George’s name to the Covenant Village Benevolent Fund, c/o Stewardship Office, 9153 Yarrow Street, Westminster, CO 80021-4561 or The Denver Hospice, 501 S Cherry St #700, Denver, CO 80246 (giving@care4denver.org).