David Graff Obituary
David was an incredibly kind and faithful man, who loved his family above all else. He said his girls were his world and helped them with anything and everything. His quiet devotion to his parents, siblings and many nieces and nephews could be seen in any conversation about his life. He enjoyed constant learning, shown in his voracious appetite for books, history and reading about the financial markets. David was also known among the family as someone with a quick wit and competitive nature for board games, and was known when traveling to open every door in a castle and enjoy ruins or a hike with a childlike joy. He was constant in his faith in God and searched for ways to support his beliefs through daily prayer and involvement with religious organizations.
David is preceded in death by his grandparents, in laws Bernard and Margaret (Hartmann) Peters, sisters-in-law Kim Graff, Greta Peters, Mary Ann Peters, brother-in-law James Danielson, and niece Lauren Graff. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Paula; his daughters Maggie and Amanda; his parents Stephen and Bernadine Graff, seven siblings: Greg (Wendy) Graff, Paul Graff, Suzanne (Jerry) Gomes, Theresa Graff, Andrea (Bob) Miller, Mark Graff, and Sara (Carl) Albright; sisters-in-law Barbara and Bernadette Peters, Charlene Danielson, and Judy Berndt; and brother-in-law Gordy (Mary) Peters. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, many loving cousins, and devoted friends.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, June 12th, 2023 at the Church of St Louis, King of France in downtown St Paul at 10am with a visitation immediately preceding the service, starting at 8:30am. A celebration of life will follow the funeral service at St Thomas More on Summit Ave. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer a donation in David's name to Cristo Rey Jesuit High School or the Church of St Louis, King of France.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Judy Berndt
May 25, 2025
Even though Dave has been gone for two years, it's impossible to forget him or his kindness and love for his family.
Bill Mosca
June 28, 2023
Dave and I were classmates at St. Thomas. He was quiet, kind and brilliant- a real friend and a faithful man. May God grant him eternal joy. Kathy and I offer our deepest condolences to his loving family.
Dan Frederick
June 11, 2023
David exemplified what it means "to be a man for others". AMDG.
MUHS 1975
Twin Cities Jesuit Partnership Council
Judy Berndt
June 9, 2023
I am Judy Berndt, sister-in-law of David. I loved his dry humor, which always surprised me. also, his love of rock and roll music. He was a serious, quiet man who loved his family deeply and had so much care and concern for all of us too often causing him lack of sleep. I will never forget him, his smile and will miss him very much. He will leave such a vacuum in so many lives. We love you Dave!
Judy Berndt
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Lee Schram
June 8, 2023
My deepest sympathies to the whole family and I am still trying to process David´s passing. Just an incredible person. No one ever said a bad word about David. Energetic, smart, kind, compassionate, caring person. Always had time for people with a thoughtful generous attitude. The world lost a gentle kind soul. David contributed so much to Deluxe in his time there and continued his business endeavors after leaving and his commitment to the community and his church. One of a kind person. Sending prayers and peace to Paula, Amanda, Maggie, his parents and sibs.
Sarjoo
June 4, 2023
I am truly sorry for your loss and may David rest in peace.
Roland Lajoie SM
June 3, 2023
Thoughts and prayer for David and for his family.
Fr Roland Lajoue, SM
Terry Thelemann
June 3, 2023
My heart sank in hearing about the loss of Dave. He was one of those people that you may only know briefly, yet instantly saw that he was a GOOD man. All of the words - kind, faithful, humble, devoted, generous, funny, gifted in so many ways - that was Dave through and through. I don't think he could have been any other way had he tried. The world needs more people like him.
I pray for strength and comfort to his family. Know you are in the thoughts, hearts and prayers of many. I know that God will hold you in the palm of His hand through this.
We all should be grateful for the legacy that Dave left behind and rejoice with him in his eternal glory. He will be missed.
Jeff Meacham
June 3, 2023
Dave was such a gentle spirit, gracious and wise. Super grateful for his years of service to the Jesuit community. We´ll see you further on up the road, brother.
Thomas Schmitt
June 2, 2023
I was a classmate of David at Marquette University High School. A very good, studious and gentle man. I am shocked at his passing. This is a warning to all of us in the class of 1975; Life Is Short.
Rob Doucette
June 2, 2023
Very sad to hear of David's passing. I attended grade school and high school with him - he was always the "quiet leader," and the smartest one in the room. He comes from a wonderful family and even though we were not in touch it does not surprise me that he was known for his kindness and faith. May the love he generously shared with others comfort his family at this time.
Peter Gohsman
June 1, 2023
I am so sorry to learn of David's passing. We were MUHS '75 classmates. I remember his keen, sly, subtle humor, and, most of all, his kindness.
Cindy Setum
June 1, 2023
I was honored to be David´s Godmother and he was ringbearer at my wedding. Enjoyed many get togethers with the Graff Family. David grew to be a kind & living man. David is now in God´s care! Bless You!
Christy Kovelan
June 1, 2023
The world lost a wonderful human. Rest in peace, David. Thank you for all your investment in me. You will be missed tremendously.
Peter LaMantia
June 1, 2023
I am so saddened to hear of David's sudden passing. I worked with David at Deluxe and had just reconnected recently on a new business initiative. I was so pleased to see and start to work with him again. He was a beautiful human being, kind, brilliant and humble. My deepest condolences to David's family.
Kevin Keane / Jon Anderson
June 1, 2023
On behalf of my business partner Jon Anderson and our business colleagues, we want to convey to David's beloved wife and daughters what a joy it has been over the last 18 months to get to know David and to see him in action in the world of M & A.
He was a remarkable man, a man of deep faith, and intense love and admiration for his immediate family and his family at large.
The single word and the signal attribute that stood out to us about David Graff is:
"He was such a KIND man."
He gave of his time and his rich storehouse of knowledge. We could not have closed some business transactions without his prodigious wealth of experience in the arts and sciences of mergers and acquisitions.
We were stunned by the unutterably sad news of his sudden passing. But we deeply cherish the moments we had with him and his wry sense of humor and his gentle bon homie.
He simply adored his bride, and he was "cardigan button popping proud" of his daughters altho one suspects he never quite got the K-Pop craze.
Jesus gave us the parable of talents, how we use talents and monies and abilities to help others succeed becomes the best scorecard of our business life and David was an A-plus fellow for sure.
We will miss him and we will be forever grateful we had the chance to become his friend.
If there is anything we can do to help the family, please do ask.
May he rest in peace in the company of the angels and in the loving arms of his Lord and Savior.
Jon Anderson, President and CEO
Kevin Keane, Exec VP and Gen'l Counsel
RedTeam Security
M Smith
June 1, 2023
I didn't know David for long, but met him through work and his kind nature radiated through the room. During some down time between meetings, he shared a funny story of when his girls were young. On a drive through a high-end neighborhood, his daughter pointed out a house where a schoolmate of hers lived. Seeing the grand house and curious, David asked his daughter what the schoolmate's parents did for work. She responded, "His dad is a businessman." To which David followed up, "What kind of businessman?" His daughter replied, "a SUCCESSFUL businessman." David and the group of us laughed at the sincerity and innocence of the recounted fond memory. Wishing David's family the deepest of condolences during this impossible time, with the small bit of assurance that his radiant kindness lives on within them forever.
Dave Poles
June 1, 2023
My heart and prayers go out to the entire family and those who knew him well. I had the sincere pleasure of working daily alongside David for many years at Deluxe. His mentoring and and friendship were boundless. He truly stood alone in his brilliant knowledge and compassion to share it and see others do well by it. I smile when I see his smile. His faithfulness and humbleness to our Lord, and to all of us, serve us well now, and in the days ahead. Thank you for your gifts of kindness David. Blessings.
Karen Carey
May 31, 2023
I'm truly saddened to hear of David's passing. I worked with him at Deluxe for many years. He was a kind, genrous man. My thoughts and prayers to his family during this extremely difficult time.
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