Malcolm Graffam Passes at 67
Malcolm D. Graffam, 67
SACO — Malcolm D. Graffam, 67, of Saco, died on Nov. 3, 2013, due to complications of a stroke suffered on July 5, 2013.
He was born in Biddeford, the son of Charles and Edna (Tufts) Graffam Sr. of Saco. He grew up in Saco and graduated from Thornton Academy. He was also a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Course.
Malcolm and his wife, Patty Norrad Graffam, recently celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary.
Malcolm has been employed by J & J Sales, as a traveling salesman for the last 10 years. Malcolm loved to travel and this job provided him with the privilege to travel throughout the United States and to Germany. Prior to working at J & J Sales, Malcolm was the manager of Taylor Rental/Party Plus in Biddeford for 28 years.
Racing has been a major part of Malcolm’s life. He started racing at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in the 1960s and enjoyed many successes as a driver. After he stopped driving, he turned his efforts pit-side to assist other teams and helped to lead them to championships. In the mid 1970s he became the head tech man and then in 1997 he was selected to work at the track in the highest role as Director of Competition.
During his tenure at Beech Ridge, he was awarded Crew Chief of the Year, as well as the three highest awards presented. Those were the Memorial Blazer in 2002; the Lifetime Achievement Award and he was inducted into the Beech Ridge Hall of Fame 2011.
Malcolm also loved the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and a member of the Big Buck Club. He also loved to ride snowmobiles and served as President of the Saco Path Finder’s Snowmobile club for many years.
Malcolm has also been a member of the Saco Lodge #9 and the Kora Shrine Temple for many years.
Malcolm was also a high school sports enthusiast and has attended many games throughout the sate. He had the privilege of seeing his two grandsons, Jeremy and Jesse, win the 2012 Class A State Football Championship.
Malcolm is survived by his wife of 49 years, Patty of Saco. He was previously deceased by brother Forrest Nason and surviving wife Virginia of Methuen, Mass. He is also survived by his brothers, Donald Nason and wife Louise of Dayton, Alton Graffam and wife Pat, Charles Graffam Jr. and previously deceased wife Nancy, Carl Graffam and wife Jeannette, William Graffam and wife Diana, and his sister Charlene LeBlanc, all of Saco, and his brother John Graffam of Buxton. He is also survived by his three daughters, Kim Meikle and her companion Scott Woodward, Kelly Graffam and her companion Kevin Lambert, and Abby Purvis and her husband Kirk Purvis; along with his grandchildren, Jeremy, Jesse, Julie, Emma, Cole, Quinn and Tessa, all of Saco. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews.
Visiting hours will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, 2013, at Hope Memorial Chapel. A 9 a.m. funeral service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013, at the funeral home. Burial will be private and at a later date. Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford. To share condolences online, please visit www.HopeMemorial.com.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, that donations be sent to: The Malcolm D. Graffam Scholarship Fund
Peoples Choice Credit Union
23 Industrial Park Rd., Saco, Maine
This scholarship fund will be awarded to a Thornton Academy student from the Class of 2014.
Published in Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram on Nov. 6, 2013