John “Jack” Graves, 68, passed away surrounded by his loving family, after a brief illness on Friday, Jan. 11th in Rose Monahan Hospice Home.

Jack leaves his wife of 38 years, Jean A. (Schiappa) Graves; his daughter, Tiffany Graves of Texas; two step-sons, John Begg and his fiancé, Nicole of Charlton and Robert Begg and his wife, Maureen of Marlborough; seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren; a brother, Robert Graves and his wife, Maureen of Sutton; six sisters, Cynthia Graves of Millbury and Mary Ekstrom and her husband, Keith of Millbury, Nancy Sluss and her husband, Frank of VA, Julie Belliveau and her husband, Tim of MT, Christine Hannah of CA and Gail Lawson of Oxford; many nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by his son, Matthew Graves and his parents, John T. and Julia M. (Katinas) Graves.

Jack was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during the Vietnam Era. He worked at Independent Truck Service of Shrewsbury as a diesel truck mechanic for 50 years, retiring this past April.  He was an avid New England Patriots fan and a proud season ticket holder.  Jack enjoyed fishing, gardening, hiking, going to the casino and playing cribbage with the children. 

Family and friends will honor and remember Jack’s life by gathering for a time of visitation on Friday, Jan. 18th from 4 to 7 p.m. at Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 N. Main Street in Millbury. 

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday Jan. 19th at 9:30 a.m. in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 10 H. Putnam Ext, Charlton, MA 01507.  Burial will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park.