Alan "Al" Ralph Graver

Alan “Al” R. Graver, 70, a lifelong resident of Lucas County, OH until June 2021 when he moved to Decatur, GA to be closer to his daughter and granddaughter, passed away Thursday, March 10, 2022 in Decatur, GA.  He was born on August 24, 1951 in Toledo, OH to Ralph and Anne (Mudry) Graver.  Al graduated from Clay High School in 1969 and then earned an associate degree in Business Administration from Davis College in 1971. In 1975, he inherited Graver’s Café, located at the corner of Woodville Rd. and East Broadway, which was previously owned and operated by his father, Ralph Graver and his uncle, Howard Graver.  He operated the business until he sold it in 1981.  Al then began his career with the United States Postal Service until he retired in 2009.

Al did not have any siblings, but considered his Graver cousins, Jim, Pam, Bill, Bob, and Jerry, to be the closest he would ever have as siblings.  Al often reminisced of their childhood years, attending local Toledo hockey games and having sleepovers.  Al had one daughter, Nichol Graver Salvo.  He met his late wife, Deborah Graver in 1993 and they married in 1994.

Al had a remarkable memory for sports statistics.  He collected beer cans, with a collection exceeding 2000 cans.  He loved Reuben sandwiches, coffee, and various beers.  He harbored strong opinions yet was a gentle soul with a unique sense of humor.  While he was never in the military, he had a deep level of respect for the military and those who serve. Al also enjoyed travel on Amtrak and would make great effort to restrict long trips and vacations to train travel.

Prior to the pandemic, he spent much of his retirement at the Toledo Public Library and continued to run 6 miles a day, (a practice that started in his 30’s) until he was 68.  His wife, Deborah passed away in 2016 and he patiently waited to rejoin her in the afterlife.  He deeply loved her and suffered an inherent emptiness with her physical death.

Al was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Anne Graver, and wife, Deborah.  He is survived by his daughter, Nichol (Clay) and granddaughter, Ella; Decatur, GA, additional family members: Daniel (Brittni) Rudolph, and family Elaina and Eva; San Clemente, CA, Dea (Brian) Plummer and family Hannah (Tyler), Jacob, Ethan and Carey; McClure, OH, Denton Rudolph and family Eliza, Azrael, Orin, and Rory; Toledo, OH.

The family would like to thank Sacred Journey Hospice for the sincere comfort care given to him during the last month. Thanks is also extended to Harry Myers, Janet and Don Moore, Dea Plummer, his neighbors at the Glenross residence and his caregivers at the Benton House of Decatur for the care and assistance provided to him.

Visitation for Al will be Wednesday, March 16, 2022 from 4-7 p.m. at the Walker Funeral Home – Oregon Chapel, 3500 Navarre Ave., Oregon, OH (419) 691-6768, where funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 17, 2022.  Entombment in the mausoleum at Highland Memory Gardens in Toledo will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made in Al’s name to one of the following:

Sacred Journey Hospice, McDonough, GA or Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN).  Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com .