Funeral services for the Rev. John Graf, Jr. will be held Saturday in South Plainfield. A second memorial service is planned for March 15 in Somerville.
Funeral services have been announced for the Rev. John Graf, Jr., who died suddenly on Sunday at his home in Bedminster.
A funeral Mass will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart RC Church, 149 South Plainfield Ave., in South Plainfield. Visitation will be held Friday from 3-8 p.m. at McCriskin-Gustafson Home For Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Ave., South Plainfield.
A second memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. March 15 at St. John's Episcopal Church, 158 West High St., Somerville.
Graf, who served as president and chief executive officer of the United Way of Somerset County from 2005-07, was a well-known ordained non-denominational minister who has been performing ceremonies for over 17 years. He was known as "the minister man."
He was a 1981 graduate of The American University in Washington, D.C. and earned a number of accolades throughout his 35-year career in public relations and fund-raising.
Graf is credited with having helped raise more than $100 million for nonprofit agencies, schools, government programs, cultural arts and historic organizations.
According to his obituary, Graf was appointed by former Gov. Jon Corzine to serve as a member of the Raritan Valley Community College board of trustees from 2009-2013 and was named to the South Plainfield High School Alumni Hall of Fame in 2011.
"John was a caring, fun loving and gentle soul, always giving of himself," it was stated in his obituary. "John spent his time on this earth living and loving life and will be missed by all. His love of theatre and the arts was an important part of his life, as well as his beloved sports teams, the Scarlet Knights Ladies Basketball team and the South Plainfield High School Wrestling team."
Graf was predeceased by his parents, John and Claire Graf, and is survived by his five siblings, Joann Graf, Cathy Russo, Rudy Graf, Jimmy Graf, all of Florida, and twin brother, Robert Graf of South Plainfield, and by his nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Somerset Treatment Services, 118 West End Avenue, Somerville, NJ 08876.