Lillian C. Graf

Former Newtown

Music Store Owner

Lillian C. Graf, 90, of Southbury, formerly of Newtown and Stuart, Fla., died October 26, after a long illness. Mrs Graf was born in Hamden, a daughter of Ernesta and Antonio Nucci. She was the widow of Karl E. Graf, who died in 2002.

The Grafs were the owners of record stores in Newtown and Bridgeport, and were the founders of Karl Graf’s Record Center, where Mrs Graf worked tirelessly alongside her husband for many years.

As a young woman, she was a singer with several bands in the Bridgeport area. It was during this time that she met her husband and became a member of his band, the Karl Graf Orchestra, a well-known act that played frequently at the Pleasure Beach Ballroom.

Mrs Graf enjoyed traveling with her husband and spending her winters in Florida. She loved to play cards and was an avid golfer. Everyone who knew her will remember her beautiful smile and warm heart.

She will be terribly missed by her daughter, Cynthia Wadman, and her son, Karl Graf; four grandchildren; and a sister.

Friends may call at Carpino Funeral Home, 750 Main Street South in Southbury, on Monday, November 2, from 5 to 7 pm. A private burial will take place in Pine Hill Cemetery, Southbury.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Church Street Station, PO Box 780, New York NY 10008-8780.

The Newtown Bee        October 30, 2009