Obituary of Byron Donald Graton

Byron D. Graton, born October 9, 1925, was reunited with Flora, his wife of 61 years, on February 28, 2016. After eloping in 1947, they raised four children in Charlton, NY. His children, Susan Green (the late Eric), Karen Whittier (the late Bill), Wayne (Heidi) and Claudia Crandall (David) will miss him and his colorful sense of humor. In addition to his children, he leaves behind eight grandchildren Andy Whittier, Peter Green, Heather Luczak, Seth Green, Sarah Sweetnam, Elisabeth Germain, Nathan Germain and Jason Graton along with four and 1/3 great grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his sisters Susan and Dorothy and his brother Joseph Jr.; he leaves behind two sisters, Mary Comstock and Florence Zimmerman. Byron was raised in Albany, NY and attended Albany High School, where he had to walk 5 miles to school, uphill, both ways. He enlisted in the Navy in 1943 and served his country on the U.S.S. Card. He then worked for General Electric Company until he retired to his blueberry patch. He was an avid gardener, a skilled fisherman, and raised pigs, chickens and the occasional bull. He practiced “farm to table” before chefs ever thought to put it on the menu. He also enjoyed camping with his family, going on cruises, wintering in Florida, working on projects like building a camping trailer and tinkering with just about anything broken. Farewell arrangements will be held at Glenville Funeral Home on Thursday, March 3, 2016 from 4 to 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Donna M. Crandall Foundation, 50 Traditional Lane, Loudonville, NY 12211.