John Charles Graci

John Charles Graci, age 92 of Woodbury, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on the morning of Valentine’s Day, February 14th. He is now reunited with his beloved wife, Catherine, perhaps finally sharing that dance they started back in 1959.

Born in Queens, New York, to Calogero and Josephine Graci, John was 100% Italian and the proud son of a Sicilian immigrant. He carried that heritage into everything he did. As a young man, he served in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Arizona and Germany, where he mastered the mechanical precision that he would use for the rest of his life.

A job relocation in 1964 with Ideal Security Hardware brought John and Catherine from New York to Minnesota. While he embraced Minnesota, he remained a loyal Minnesota Twins (and often long-suffering) Minnesota Vikings fan. Though he never saw them win a Super Bowl in his 92 years, he never stopped cheering.

Whenever he called, the voice mail message always began the same way: an unmistakable East Coast accent announcing, "Hello, Dad here..." as if we could ever mistake that voice for anyone else’s on the other end. It was his trademark, a voice that never lost its New York soul, even after decades in the Midwest.

John was a "machine" when it came to his home. In less than two hours, he could mow the lawn to golf-course perfection, trim the trees, tend to his garden, change the car oil, and fix a broken light switch—all while the rest of the world was still waking up. He was the undisputed King of the Sunday Pasta Sauce; his meatballs were legendary, tender as butter, and crafted with a soul that only comes from deep roots. To sit at his table was to be truly loved.

He loved his family, the lakes, fishing, and his Golden Labradors and Retrievers. To know him was to know a most generous and thoughtful man who moved through life with grit, a fantastic sense of humor, and the biggest heart. He left us on Valentine’s Day, a fitting final act for a man who gave so much love. He didn’t just listen to Sinatra; he truly lived the lyrics and did it ‘His Way.’

John was preceded in death by his parents; his cherished wife, Catherine; and his grandson, Jared Odash.

He is survived by his daughters, Irene Graci, Joanne Odash (Clarence), and Elaine Graci; his son, John Graci (Lori); his four grandchildren, Gina Graci, Matt Graci, Colton Odash (Summer), and Caitlin Odash; and his great-granddaughter, Collyns Odash. He also leaves behind his sisters, Josephine Donovan and Antoinette Celentano (Paul) of Long Island, NY, along with many nieces and nephews.

A private family celebration of John’s life and interment will be held at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights, MN. In honor of John’s generous spirit, memorials may be given to the Animal Humane Society or a charity of the donor’s choice.