Earl W. Graves

LUNENBURG - Earl W. Graves, 85, died Tuesday, December 29, at Jewish Health Care in Worcester, MA after an illness.

Earl was born in Leominster on July 27, 1935, the son of Arlene and Everett Graves and lived there until moving to his retirement home on Lake Shirley in Lunenburg. 

Earl and his wife, Janet (Gillis) Graves were married for 49 years, until she lost her battle with cancer in 2003. They were avid antique dealers and long term foster parents for the Massachusetts Department of Social Services. Earl was a licensed electrician and retired from his career as Facility Manager for Digital Equipment Corp. in Westminster in 1993. Earl will be remembered for his sense of humor, his love of animals and his desire and willingness to assist anyone in need of help with a construction or electrical challenge.

Earl is survived by his daughters; Marcia Roddy and her husband Peter Roddy of Westminster and Lynn Gleason and her husband Archie of Lancaster, and five grandchildren, Christopher Roddy, Colin Roddy, Ryan Gleason, Connor Gleason and Timothy Graves.

Earl is predeceased by his brother Stan Graves of Virginia and his son Frank Graves of Fitchburg.

Funeral services will be private. Memorial donations may be made to the Sterling Animal Shelter at 17 Laurelwood Rd., Sterling, MA 01564 or via sterlingshelter.org

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