Charles Francis Graten

Charles "Uncle Charlie" Graten, 70, of Portland, ME and Zephyrhills, FL, passed away unexpectedly on June 8, 2017 while visiting his family in Falmouth. He was born January 12, 1947 in Portland to Catherine (McWilliam) Graten and Walter Graten. He was the oldest of three children and grew up in Steuben, ME. Charlie attended Steuben Elementary School and graduated in 1965 from Sumner Memorial High School. He went on to attend Northeast Business School in Portland, ME. Upon relocating to Portland, he moved in with his Uncle, Archie McWilliam, and remained with him for 32 years until Archie passed away in 1997.

After graduation, he went to work for Portland Motor Sales/Rowe Ford where in 1972 he met his lifetime friend, Peter Mauro. 10 years later, Peter introduced him to another friend, Don Johnson, and the three never lost their bond of friendship. He spent many years working at the Department of Motor Vehicles in Portland, meeting and befriending hundreds of people over the years. He moved to the City of South Portland Finance department and worked there for several years with ‘his girls’ until he retired in 2014.

Family and friends were the most important thing to him above all else. He became Uncle Charlie to everyone who met him and once he met you, he would never forget anything about you or your family. It didn’t matter what your relationship to him was – immediate or extended family, friends, extensions of friends, neighbors or coworkers; he brought you into his heart and kept you close. As soon as that happened, he became your Uncle Charlie too. He was intensely loyal and incredibly thoughtful, remembering birthdays, anniversaries, and any other milestone or even favorite treat that people liked. He loved to shop and whenever he saw a gift that would be meaningful to anyone he knew, he bought it, surprised them with it and whatever it was, it was always perfect. He never entered a room, party or meeting without a gift bag, kind word or pastry box in his hand for someone (or everyone) that was going to be there. There are no words to describe the limitless kindness he bestowed upon everyone.

He is survived by his niece, Kate (Katie) Fishman, her husband Marc and their two daughters, Hannah and Avi, of Falmouth, with whom he spent nearly every single day with before moving to Florida. He was an integral part of their core and extended family and friends – at every cookout, holiday, school event and celebration. His last day was spent with them attending a chorus concert, eating ice cream, opening gifts and giving lots of hugs and kisses.

Also surviving Uncle Charlie are his sister, Linda (Graten) Reynolds and her partner, George Monroe of Zephyrhills, FL and his brother William (Billy) Graten and his wife Patty of Stueben, ME; nephew Kevin Peterson and his partner Sue Bertin of Gorham, nephew Christopher Graten, his wife Melanie and daughter Mackenzie of Gouldsboro; nephew Justin Graten of Chicago; his great nephew Archie Peterson of Houlton and several extended aunts, uncles, cousins, great nieces and nephews through the Fishman, Graten, Hasty and McWilliam families. He leaves amazing groups of friends in Maine and Florida. He was deeply loved and the memories shared with him will be forever cherished.

Charlie is predeceased by his mother and father, Catherine and Walter Graten; his Uncle Archie McWilliam; his Aunt Sabina and Uncle Nicholas Hasty and his Uncle Charlie McWilliam for whom he was named; his longtime friend, Ken Sears, and many beagles over the years.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, June 15th from 4-7 p.m. at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland, ME. Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 16th at 10 a.m. at Jones, Rich & Barnes, with internment immediately following at Brooklawn Memorial Park, 2002 Congress St., Portland, ME.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the American Heart Association.

“An Uncle is a treasure whose worth you cannot measure except by the love in your heart.”

Arrangements under the direction of Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, Portland, ME.