Kenneth Donald Graziano

A memorial service for Kenneth will be held Friday, January 27, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at El Camino Memorial - Encinitas, 340 Melrose Ave, Encinitas, CA 92024.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.encinitaschapel.com for the Graziano family.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Jan (Simpson) Graziano, stepdaughter Lara Ingraham,

brother Larry Graziano and sister-in-law Mary Ann Graziano, brother Mick Graziano and sisterin-law Sue Graziano as well as many nieces, nephews, family members, friends and former

colleagues.

Ken is preceded in death by his parents Antoinette (Valvo) Graziano and Russell Graziano.

He was born on April 10, 1942, in Dunkirk, N.Y. The eldest of 3 sons, he excelled academically

and chose a career in science. After graduating from Dunkirk High School, he received his B.S.

from Colgate, followed by his Master’s Degree from Syracuse. He then completed his PhD in

Immunology at Johns Hopkins University. His career began in the laboratory at the NIH but

soon took him to Regulatory Affairs at the FDA. While there, he was part of the group that

developed the regulatory foundation for the review and approval of monoclonal antibody

products. He also met Jan during his time at the FDA. She was working in an administrative

capacity within the organization.

A few years later, they moved to sunny San Diego when he joined Hybritech Incorporated, the

first U.S. monoclonal antibody company. He and his team prepared global clinical trial

applications for the myriad new monoclonal antibody therapeutics the company was

developing. Jan and Ken married in 1989. She reactivated her teaching credential and returned

to the classroom as a middle school French and history teacher. She went on to receive her

Master’s Degree in Education Administration while working full-time.

His career then took them to Long Island, NY for 7 years and finally back to their beloved San

Diego in 2002. Now at CancerVax, Ken helped the company develop FDA strategies for a new

class of cutting edge monoclonal antibody oncology products. According to a good friend and

colleague, Ken was known to write by the pound. New product submissions to the FDA would

easily weigh in at 500 pounds!!

Ken truly loved his work, his wife and the life they created. His quirky personality, wit and

humorous take on the world were endearing. He loved music and was able to really cut a rug.

He was the Fred Astaire at company parties and everyone wanted a turn on the dance floor

with him. Of course, Jan was his favorite to play Ginger Rogers’ role and they were known to

dance the night away at weddings and other celebrations.

He was a fabulous cook and particularly adept at the grill. In 2007, after building their dream

home in Cardiff-By-the-Sea, they began entertaining in earnest. Friends and family loved to

gather there for dinner parties where the wine and conversation flowed easily and people went

back for seconds (or thirds) especially if his tri-tip roast, shrimp scampi or bourbon mashed

sweet potatoes were on the menu. He was an avid gardener, designing and caring for a yard

full of succulents—with scars on his arms to prove it! He also loved hummingbirds and made

sure he had feeders for them at each of his homes over the years.

Those who knew Ken knew him to be a true humanitarian beneath his cantankerous facade. He

was very generous with his time and donated regularly to charities. Always eager to lend a

helping hand, he was a friend to be trusted and cherished. He loved cats and was a wonderful

cat dad to Teesha who passed in 1995 and Missy who passed in 2021.

Family and friends will be received at his Celebration of Life on Friday, January 27 from 3-5 pm

at El Camino Memorial in Encinitas, CA. The event will be accessible via livestream for those

who can’t attend.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to Ken's favorite Charities: Sierra Club, NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), The Audubon Society, Planned Parenthood & Alzheimer’s Association.