Leo Normand Graveline

Leo Normand Graveline, born April 11, 1929 in the Province of Quebec, Canada, passed from this life on February 11, 2024. He was the son of Lionel Graveline and Grace Louise Barnes. Shortly after his birth, he and his mother returned to Syracuse, NY where he was raised in the home of his maternal grandmother until he entered the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17.

While he was in the Marine Corps, he met and married Elizabeth McGhee Foute (Betty) on April 29, 1949, with whom he spent 62 years until her passing in 2011. Leo spent 10 years in the Marine Corps, including serving in the Korean War, landing at Inchon Harbor in September of 1950.

Eventually, and with three small children, Leo transferred to the Air Force to complete his military career. He had to take a reduction in rank to make the transition, but he felt the Air Force was much more family friendly than the Marine Corps at the time, so that setback was worth the sacrifice.

Toward the end of his military career, Leo was a part of the team that fully automated the Air Force payroll system. This experience served him well as he went on to a 21 year career setting up and operating computer shops for the General Services Administration after he retired from the military.

In his retirement years, he and Betty had planned to do a lot of travel, however, her health took an unexpected downward turn, and they were never able to travel as they had planned. Instead, he spent the next years as a care giver for his wife, and also served in a number of voluntary service related positions within his church, and for a time, delivered meals to elderly neighbors through the local Meals on Wheels program.

Leo was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth McGehee (Foute) Graveline, and a daughter-in-law, Casmyra Dame Graveline. He is survived by his son Charles Harry Graveline of Union, Ohio, daughter Kathleen Marie Colyer and husband Todd of Fredericksburg, VA and daughter Joann Elizabeth Graveline and her husband Shawn Barnett of Alexandria, VA.

He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, to include, Robert Graveline of Falls Church VA, his son Isaiah Minix and daughters Ava Jane and Olivia; Allen Graveline and his wife Jacqueline of Nokesville, VA and their son Aaron and daughter Mia; Brandon Graveline and his wife Samantha of Centerville, OH and their sons Mason and Matthew; Jessica Windley of Stuart’s Draft VA and her daughter Mia; Joshua Windley and his wife Silvia of Staunton, VA and their daughter Lidia and sons Tylor and Micah; Loren Graveline of Hagerstown, MD and her daughter Shaina; Katie Saunders of St. Thomas, USVI; Daniel Cable of Manassas, VA; Nathan Cable and his wife Tabitha of Front Royal, VA and their daughters Erin and Alana; and Jackie Hetrick and her husband Justin of Round Hill, VA and sons Jesse Cable, and Clint and Paul.

A visitation for Leo will be held Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Murphy Funeral Homes, 4510 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203.