Russell Jeffries Mcgraw, Jr.

Russell Jeffries McGraw, Jr.  January 1931 - January 2010 Resident of Atlanta, GA After a courageous 12 year battle with Alzheimer’s, Russell passed away peacefully at Fountain View Center. Russell was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Coral Gables, FL.  He graduated from St. Theresa High School and received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Miami in 1955.  He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.  He served in the United States Air Force ROTC and active duty between 1946 and 1951.

He was one of four children born to the late Russell Jeffries McGraw, Sr., M.D. and Alice Elizabeth Collins.  He was the beloved husband of Janet Ruth Goller for over 50 years. Russell is survived by his loving sister Noreen Manella and joins his sisters Joan Crooks and Mary Kathryn McGraw in his final resting.  He will forever be remembered by his daughters Theresa Anne Janssen, Jeanne Marie Garalis, Mary Kathryn Mink and Alice Elizabeth Goff, treasured grandchildren Brittany Ann and Charlie Scott Garalis, Cassidy Joan Mink and Molly Grace Goff, caring son in-laws Charles Garalis and Jonathan Goff, along with countless other friends and family who were blessed to know him.


 

Russell loved spending time with his family and having fun with his many friends.  He was a member of the Coral Gables Country Club Little Theater Group and the IHM Little Theater Group.  His favorite pastimes included acting, golfing, and watching football.  He loved making people laugh and always had a good story or anecdote.  He was an honorary lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus and an active member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church since 1971 where he served as an usher for over 20 years, was an active member of RCIA for several years and served on various committees during his active membership at Immaculate Heart of Mary.

He spent most of his career as an entrepreneur working as an independent insurance broker, but his most rewarding business venture was providing non-medical emergency transportation to the elderly and disabled. Russell touched the lives of many people with his smile and generosity, and maintained his trademark sense of humour all the way to the end.


 

Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service on Tuesday, January 5th, 2010, at 10 A. M. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 2855 Briarcliff Road, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329.  A private memorial service and interment will be held on Friday, January 8th, 2010 at  Our Lady-Mercy Catholic Cemetery, 11411 NW 25^th Street, Doral, FL 33172.


 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1925 Century Blvd., N.E., Suite 10, Atlanta, GA 30345-3315.