Patrick Michael Mcgraw

Patrick Michael McGraw

02/08/2022

Patrick Michael McGraw, 70, of Deland, FL, passed away the evening of February 8th in Orlando, FL . Pat was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and underwent a successful lung transplant, however he was unable to overcome complications during recovery.

Pat was born on March 30, 1951, in Syracuse, NY, to James and Mary (Mahan) McGraw. On October 19, 2002, he married Monika Heinz-Fischer in Deland, FL.

He graduated from West Genesee Senior High School in 1968 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Public Justice from SUNY Oswego in 1977. Pat proudly served in the United States Navy from 1970 to 1976, including service in the Vietnam War aboard the USS Reasoner. Following his service in the Navy he started his career as a Social/Recreation Assistant at the Oswego Industries Department of Social Services. He began his 30+ year career with the US Postal Service as a Letter Carrier in Fulton, NY and shortly thereafter moved to Ormond Beach, FL.

Pat will be remembered as a loving family man who was actively involved in the lives of his grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He was a longtime member of St Peter Catholic Church and numerous other community organizations. Pat was very proud of his Irish heritage, and frequently attended the St Patrick’s Day events in Savannah, GA. He enjoyed fishing, playing golf, and was an enthusiastic race fan. Pat was incredibly kind and loyal to everyone involved in his life. If you are a friend of Pat’s, you’re his friend for life.

Pat is survived by his wife of 19 years Monika McGraw; step-sons Patrick (Pamela) Oliphant of Orange City, Thomas (April) Oliphant of Deland; step-daughter Corinne (Walt) Staheli of Auburn, AL; grandchildren Tyler, Timmy, Aubrey, and Ava; mother-in-law Gisela Heinz-Fischer of Montabaur, Germany; sisters Cathy Marsden, Beth (Rick) Toepp, Marcia Cunningham, and Mickey Albers; and brother Mark McGraw; a large extended Heinz-Fischer family in Germany; and beloved aunt, nephews, nieces, cousins and a large group of devoted close friends.

Pat is preceded in death by his parents James (Mugsy) and Mary McGraw, his brother-in-laws Paul Marsden, Mike Cunningham, Virgil Albers, his sister-in-law Anna Heinz-Fischer, and nephew Nathan Volcko.

A special thanks to the entire medical team at Advent Health Transplant Institute in Orlando for their tireless dedication, kindness, and hard work.

The funeral mass will be held on Friday, February 18, at 11:00 am at St Peter Catholic Church, 359 W. New York Ave, Deland, FL with Father Gilbert Medina officiating. Immediately following, graveside services will be held at Oakdale Cemetery in Deland, FL.

Visitation with the family will follow the graveside service at the St Peter Catholic Church reception hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Pat's name to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org or Remembering Vets, Inc. at www.rememberingvets.org .