Martin Charles Graf, 81, a lifelong resident of Queens, died on Thursday, December 9, 2010 at Lutheran Care Center in Poughkeepsie.
Born in Astoria on February 19, 1929, he was the son of Martin Graf and Marion (Kurt) Hatrick. A fan of the New York Yankees, he was fond of telling the story of playing baseball in the neighborhood with Whitey Ford. Martin was a 1948 graduate of William Cullen Bryant High School, Astoria, and the Delehanty Police Academy. He was employed by the NYPD as a Patrolman in the 108th Precinct, Queens and then as a Sergeant for the former 87th Precinct, Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Following his retirement from the NYPD, he worked as a Pinkerton for the New York Racing Association and was the guard in the Winner's Circle when Secretariat won the Triple Crown. He also worked as a Private Chauffeur for Wall Street Financier Jack Dreyfus of the Dreyfus Funds.
On October 4, 1950 in Jackson Heights, Queens, Martin married Lois Zittel. His wife of 60 years survives him. He is also survived by his daughter, Nancy Graf Peters and her husband Richard of Poughkeepsie; his granddaughter, Elizabeth A. (Graf Peters) Harris and her husband Jon of Raleigh, NC; his sisters, Doris Seuffert and Marilyn Schreiber of Queens; his aunt, Margaret Jirinec, formerly of Queens; his nephews, John Spring and Richard Schreiber; his niece, Jeanne Romano; and several cousins.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 1 to 4 pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. The Funeral Service will be held on Monday at 9:30 am at the funeral home followed by interment in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Maspeth.