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Milton
E. "Milt" Graff Paid Obituary Milton E. "Milt" Graff, 74, died on August 2, 2005 in Rockdale, Texas. Milt was born on December 30, 1930 in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Butler High School in Butler, Pennsylvania in 1949 and from Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Much of Milt's life was spent in professional baseball where he achieved major league status as a player, a coach, an administrator, and a scout. In 1961, Milt was recognized by the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants for his "high scholastic record and demonstration of leadership" during his scholastic career. Upon graduation, he worked as a staff accountant at General Accounting Office in Washington, D.C., and later, as controller, treasurer and vice president of development and operation of FTI Corporation in Houston, Texas, as a manager of finance and administration of the Dallas, Texas office of Price Waterhouse and Company. In 1987, Milt was honored by his alma mater with a distinguished alumni award. Milt's baseball career began 1949 when he signed his first professional contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. While in the Pirates' system, Milt's career was interrupted when he served a tour of duty with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Upon his return to the United States, he resumed his professional baseball career. Milt was playing in the New York Yankee organization when he was traded to the Kansas City Athletics where he signed his first major league contract in 1957. The playing segment of Milt's baseball career (1949-1963) came full circle when, after two years in San Francisco Giants organization, he returned to the Pirates' system as a player/coach. He became a member of the Pirate front office staff in 1964 and, between then and 1977, assumed various positions, including Assistant Controller, Traveling Secretary and Assistant to the Vice Presidents of Baseball Operations and of Finance/ Administration. In 1970, Milt was the Director of Stadium Operations when Three Rivers Stadium opened in Pittsburgh, PA. Milt held scouting positions in several major league baseball organizations, including scouting director for the Pittsburg Pirates, special assignment major league scout for the San Francisco Giants and Central U.S. Scouting Coordinator for the Cincinnati Reds. His crowing achievement occurred in 1979 when Milt was Advance Scout/ Coach for the World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates. That he was inducted to the Butler (PA) Hall of Fame. He later served as an Instructional League Coach and as a Major League Coach with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Mr. Graff is survived by his wife of 49 years, Bernadette Graff, of Bryan; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Diane Gillum of College Station, Gail and Robert Anders of Magnolia, TX., ÊCecilia and Derrick Sallee of Graham, TX., a son, Stephen Graff, of Bryan, TX .; three granddaughters, Kelsey Thomas of Magnolia, Bailey and Brady Gillum of College Station, Êand a grandson, Ty Sallee, of Graham, TX.; a sister and a brother-in-law, Ruth and John Markwell; two brothers and sister-in-law, Rev. Donald and Doris Graff and Richard and Carolyn Graff, all of Pennsylvania, a brother and sister-in-law, Glenn and Carol Graff of Spring, TX., along with several nieces and nephews. Services will be held for Milton Graff today at 11:00a.m. at Hillier Funeral Home in Bryan. Rev. Donald Graff his brother and Pastor Jim Graff his nephew will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made to the Renaissance Villa Certified Alzheimer's Facility, 700 Dyer, Rockdale, TX 76567 or The Baseball Assistance Team, Inc., (BAT), 245 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10167. |
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