Obituary of PHILIP LEONARD GRACEFFO

PHILIP LEONARD GRACEFFO

On June 6, 2017 Philip Leonard Graceffo passed away at the Seven Oaks Hospital due to complications from surgery. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Lynn on September 8, 2016.

Dad was born in Winnipeg on September 22, 1930 and was the last of 13 children born to Seraphina and Philip Graceffo. Dad grew up in Fort Rouge and had many happy memories of his childhood. Growing up Dad played community based football, hockey and baseball. He was especially fond of baseball and this led to a lifelong passion for the Boston and then Atlanta Braves.

It was in Fort Rouge that Dad met and married the love of his life, Lynn McEwing. They were married on June 30, 1954 and were married for 62 years. They loved each other completely and there was not a single day that went by where Dad did not marvel that Mom had chosen him as her partner in life. Together they raised and are survived by 3 children; Greg (Marlene), Lisa (Kelly Cudney), and Peter (Cindy Frank). They are also survived by 7 grandchildren: Mark (Amy), Laura (Real), Luke (Kirsten), Adam (Jennifer), Sera (Michael), Scott (Kristen), and Amy (Quin); 6 great grandchildren: Capriese, Leo, Bowden, Royce, Willa, and Lucca, and 3 step grandchildren: Dexter (Gabrielle), Alexandra (Jonathan), and Spencer (Emily).

Dad started his working life at CN rail, but he was soon attracted to the airline travel industry. After starting at North West Airlines at Stevenson Field, Dad worked for Alitalia Airlines in sales for the rest of his career. In this role, he travelled the world at a time when air travel was a new and luxurious experience. His interest in travel led to his involvement with an industry travel association known as SKAL, and he rose to become the international President of that organization. In his retirement, Dad started PLG Agencies and specialized in planning international trips for tour groups and individuals. Dad enjoyed sharing his experiences and made use of his many international contacts in planning these trips.

Dad had an interest in the community as well. He was very involved in coaching through Winakwa Community Club, especially in their hockey program. Dad had a unique coaching style, and many young men were the beneficiaries of his wit and wisdom behind the bench. Many of his players would, in later years, fondly remember their experiences with and winning a midget hockey championship under Coach G's tutelage.

Dad loved his wife, his family, his community, and his many friends around the world. He loved pasta in all of its various forms, scotch, red wine, impromptu picnics in the park- with KFC and A and W root beer, strawberry whips, whatever activities his grandchildren were up to, any meal our Mom ever made, a good story or better still a good joke, the Winnipeg Jets and the Blue Bombers, the travel industry, and cribbage.

Dad loved life and he lived his fully and completely. He will be missed.

A joint celebration of life honouring the lives of Mom and Dad will be held on July 19th at 2:00 P.M. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St.