MARS HILL – G. Vincent Graves, 91, went into eternal rest June 4, 2006, surrounded by his loving family at the Aroostook Medical Center in Mars Hill. Vince was born Nov. 28, 1914, in Presque Isle, the son of William and Harriet (Vincent) Graves. He grew up in Mars Hill. At the age of 21, he and his father started a meat selling business. They took the rumble seat out of a model A Ford coupe and put a homemade box in its place. With some knives, a meat saw and a set of scales, he set out with his “meat cart.” Vince and his father were joined by his brother, Donald, in the slaughtering business and the purchasing of the first Graves’ store. His other brother, Philip, joined in running the meat carts and his sister, Alice, delivered orders from the store. Eventually, the entire family became involved and together with his youngest brother, Bob, they founded the Graves Supermarkets. Upon Vincent’s and Donald’s retirements, Bob became the sole owner. Since Bob’s retirement, his three sons, Robert Jr., Greg and Mike have continued the business. Vincent found great joy and fulfillment in the supermarket business and treasured the years working with his family. Vincent was an avid fisherman all his life. He and his brothers, along with their wives, found retreat, salmon fishing throughout the northeast. Vincent was a loving husband and father; he will be greatly missed and remembered with much love by all of his family. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Mildred (Ricker) Graves of Mars Hill; a son, Gene and his wife, Vanessa, of Rockport; two daughters and their husbands, Janette and Alfred Van Dam of Walden, N.Y., Tonya and Kenneth Lewis of New Windsor, N.Y.; a stepson, Tom Saucier and his wife, Judy, of Mars Hill; a sister, Alice Hitchcock of Mars Hill; granddaughters, Jill Lancaster, Jolie Hooper, Janine LaBarre, Jennifer Jones, Jennifer Lewis and Janine Saucier; grandsons, Mark Graves, Andrew and Benjamin Van Dam, Jeff, Josh, Matthew and Thomas Saucier; 26 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Margie Gray; and brothers, Donald “Lefty,” Philip and Robert Graves. Relatives and friends may call 10 a.m. until time of service at the Mars Hill United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, at the church with the Rev. Richard Bell officiating. Interment will be at Kings Grove Cemetery, Mars Hill. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Logan P. Graves Foundation, P.O. Box 429, Presque Isle, ME 04769. Arrangements are in the care of Duncan Funeral Home, Mars Hill.
GEORGE VINCENT GRAVES
