Michael David Graby

Michael David Graby, age 84, passed peacefully Sunday, May 21, 2017, in the company of his dear wife and close friends. He was born on September 26, 1932, in Kingston upon Hull, England to David and Evelyn Graby. In his youth, Michael David apprenticed at Hobson and Porter to become a tool and die, engineer. A gifted athlete, he also captained his Hull's city soccer team in his youth. He enlisted and served valiantly in Her Majesty's Royal Air Force during the Korean War as an engineer and ambulance driver. After the briefest of courtships, on August 4, 1962, he married his true love Beatrice Green and was her faithful husband for 54 years. Together, they had one daughter, Velda Helen. Back and forth between England and the US beginning in 1969, they settled permanently in the US in 1979. Michael David enjoyed time with his beautiful wife, being with family & friends, playing piano, soccer, The Grinch & Scrooge, and his native country, England. He spent the majority of his professional career as a tool and die engineer at Frost Inc. in Grand Rapids, MI, where he forged dear and lasting friendships with his co-workers. David would always smile when he was with his loving wife, listening to music, playing piano, enjoying his watch collection, being with his daughter and grandchildren and reminiscing about his native England and hometown of Hull. He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Beatrice; his brother, Howard; daughter, Velda; 3 grandchildren, Lauren, Jimmie and David. A celebration of life will be held in June with details for friends and family forthcoming. Gracious God, please bless and keep Michael David. "If I should die a (an old) soldier, think only this of me, That there's some corner of a foreign field That is forever England." - Rupert Brooke, The Soldier.

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