Alec Paul Graves

Alec Paul Graves, 31, of Wilmington, North Carolina sadly passed away on August 23, 2022. Alec will be remembered for his perpetual smile, sense of adventure, passion for sports, love of photography and how much he valued friends and family. He was inherently kind and giving, and it was a soothing comfort to be in his presence.

Alec was a gifted athlete who developed a love of baseball while living in Baltimore when his team made it to the NABF World Classic Baseball Tournament. In the hotly contested Uncles vs. Cousins Fitzgerald annual basketball games (ages ranging 7 to 75) and in sports traditions during Graves’ family reunions, Alec’s intuitive moves — and usually winning shots — were unique to his approach to life.

He developed a passion for surfing that carried him from Wrightsville Beach to Assateague, Maryland and eventually to the Oregon coast where he had been living for the past several years, surfing every cove that had a good break. He was fortunate to have had opportunities to follow the surf swells in Central America and Hawaii also. 

While living in Oregon, he frequently hiked and camped in the redwood forests and along the Chetco and Winchuck Rivers. He had a continuous love for the great outdoors. He spent his time with close friends, Lia and her children Nolan and Naya, and his adventurous Boston Terrier, Duke. 

Coming from a family of both traditional and innovative cooks, he had a natural culinary gift and we enjoyed many of his intuitive creations. He was co-owner of a restaurant in Brookings, Oregon. 

Alec was born December 20, 1990 to the late George Graves (1959-2012) and Shawn (Graves) Best. He was greatly loved by his stepmother, Ginnie Kuhn, and his stepfather, Richard Best. He graduated from Hoggard High School in Wilmington, North Carolina and continued to the University of North Carolina in Wilmington, then to Oregon State University where he was studying engineering.

Alec is survived by his mother and stepfather, Shawn and Richard Best, his older sister Kendall and her husband John Thomas (J.T.) LaBruyere and their children Lydia and Aiden, stepmother Ginnie Kuhn, Ginnie’s daughter Erica Filidoro and her husband Michele Filidoro (deceased) and their children Alessandro, Giulia and Francesco.

On the maternal Fitzgerald side, his family includes his grandparents Paul Fitzgerald (deceased) and his wife Dolores, and his grandmother Kay Fitzgerald (deceased). In addition to his many cousins, his uncles and aunts include Patrick and Eileen Fitzgerald, Michael and Kathy (deceased) Fitzgerald, Dr. Bryan (deceased) and Elizabeth Fitzgerald.

On the paternal Graves side, his family includes his grandparents Preston I and Alma Graves (both deceased). In addition to his many cousins, his uncles and aunts include Preston II (deceased) and Nancy Graves, Annabel and Griffin Ratley, Jim Graves and his wife Sharon Vanderslice, John and Christy Graves and Mark and Becky Graves.

Alec inherited the Best family when Rick and Shawn married; Rick’s parents Edward (deceased) and Betty (Big Nanny) Best. Rick’s brothers, sister and their spouses include Eddie and Elizabeth Best, Drs. Ken and Emma Best and Susan and Rick Stone, and their families.

Alec’s family also included the LaBruyere family when his sister, Kendall, married John Thomas LaBruyere. J.T.’s family includes his mother Cathy LaBruyere, his father Tim and his wife Kim LaBruyere, and his sister Rachel LaBruyere.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, August 29, at Basilica of St. Mary, 412 Ann Street, Wilmington, NC  28401.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to:

www.surfershealingnc.org 

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/surfershealingnc