ETNA – Arthur C. Graves, 69, died March 24, 2011, at Togus VA Medical Center. He was born Oct. 17, 1941, in Hartland, a son of Kenneth W. and Arlene (Peterson) Graves.
He graduated from Newport High School, Class of 1960, and went to work for Sargent Construction. He was drafted into the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, where he met and married Cheryl Roberts. Arthur worked hard at his paving, snowplowing and logging transportation businesses. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. Above all, Art was a much beloved father, grandfather and friend. He was known to calm even the most distressed of young children just by sitting them on his lap.
He is survived by his mother of Pittsfield; three daughters and their husbands, Debbie and Mark Tasker of Etna, Diane and Nick Chiappone of Orrington and Denise and Steve Savageau of Palmyra; two brothers, Berk Graves and Dale Graves Sr., both of Etna; a sister, Rebecca Towle of Etna; five much adored grandchildren, Dylan and Amber Savageau, Morgan Tasker, Anthony and Christopher Chiappone; many nieces, nephews and cousins; his ex-wife of Etna; and special friends, Raymond Walker, Ronald Carter and Warren Shaw. He was predeceased by his father; two brothers, Bob and Raymond Graves; and a sister, Donna Graves.
Funeral services will be held 6 p.m. Monday, March 28, at Crosby & Neal, 117 Main St., Newport, with the Rev. Ellen Bridge officiating. Friends may call 5 p.m. until the time of service. Spring burial will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Etna. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Arthur Graves Scholarship Fund to create an environmental conservation scholarship, care of Peoples United Bank, 44 Moosehead Trail, P.O. Box 306, Newport, ME 04953. Those who wish may leave written tributes at
www.CrosbyNeal.com.