CARTHAGE, NY — David J. McGraw, 73, formerly of 316 N. Washington St. Carthage, died Saturday, March 2, 2019, at the Lewis County Residential Health Care Facility in Lowville.
Born June 5, 1945, in Carthage, a son of the late John M. and Mary E. (Raycraft) McGraw, he was a 1963 graduate of Augustinian Academy. He then attended Villanova University and graduated in 1967 with a BA in Chemistry. He continued with his studies and received his MA in 1974.
In September of 1967 he entered the Augustinian Novitiate located in New Hamburg, NY on the Hudson River and took Simple Vows one year later in September of 1968. In 1968 he entered the Augustinian Seminary located at St. Mary’s Hall at Villanova University. In 1969, David left, requested to join the “Abbey of the Genesee” in Piffard, NY. This order is a member of the Order of Cistercians of Strict Observance commonly known as Trappists.
He left the order and enlisted in the US Army and was assigned a position in NATO and served in Germany and Belgium from 1970 until 1972. From there he worked for the Social Security Administration as a benefit authorizer in Philadelphia, PA, for several years.
He returned to Carthage in 1985.
He is survived by a sister, Joan Bender of Florida, nieces and nephews; Sean and David Roe, Erin Montana and Kelly Leary and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Vincent P. McGraw.
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Friday, March 8, at St. James Catholic Church in Carthage with Rev. Donald A. Robinson, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in St. James Cemetery in the Spring. There will be no calling hours.
Arrangements are with the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Augustinian Academy, 313 West St., Carthage, NY 13619.
To leave an online condolence, go to www.bezanillafh.com.