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James Grafton
In Memory of
James Daniel
Grafton
1927 - 2015
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Obituary for James Daniel Grafton

Well-known Potter booster and athletic enthusiast James Daniel “Dan” Grafton died peacefully early Wednesday morning, July 8, 2015, at East Liverpool City Hospital, where he had been a patient for several days. Dan, of Manor Lane in East Liverpool, had been in declining health for some time. He was 88.

Born in East Liverpool on March 18, 1927, Dan was a son of the late James H. and Leslie Burgess Grafton. A 1945 graduate of East Liverpool High School, Dan served in the U.S. Army’s Fifth Infantry, 1st Division in Germany during World War II from 1945-1947. He then became associated at the former Crucible Steel Corp., where he worked for the next 37 years, retiring in 1982. He later joined his good friend, Sid Perkins, as a salesman for St. Clair Auto Sales for nearly 12 years.

Dan remained a proud ELHS alumnus throughout his life, and especially enjoyed following generations of student athletes; he and his wife, Louise, attended all football and basketball games for over 50 years, and were members of the Blue & White Touchdown Club as well as the Rebound Club, and were also big fans of the Potter marching and pep bands. He was honored to have been chosen as the Grand Marshal for the last football parade, held in 2003.

Not only did the Graftons support their own children and grandchildren, but they were also the organizers for many bus trips through the years, making it possible for members of the community to attend away games and other events. In 1993, he and Louise were the recipients of the Pete Coplin Spirit Award.

Dan was a member of House of Prayer in Calcutta in recent years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death on May 20, 2008 was his wife and constant companion, Louise F. Viscoglosi Grafton, whom he married on January 30, 1954. Dan and Louise were also preceded in death by their son, Craig S. Grafton, who passed away on September 13, 1997.

Surviving him is his daughter, Marcy McConnell and her husband, Rich, of East Liverpool, as well as six grandchildren: Matthew McConnell, Tyler McConnell, Jenna Bissell and her husband, Dickie, Danielle Stowers, Brock Grafton and Blake Grafton. There is one great-granddaughter, Olivia Bissell, and another due in December, along with other family members with whom he remained close.

Dan was also preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Ann Corsello, and by a nephew, Daniel A. Corsello.

Friends may visit at the Dawson Funeral Home on Friday, where the family will be present from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.

Pastors Bob and Kim Gadd of the church will officiate at a service to the held at the funeral home at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Dan will be laid to rest beside his wife at Columbiana County Memorial Park, where the Tri-State Veterans Burial Group will provide full military honors.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Daniel Grafton, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

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