Bernard Karl Grahs

GRAHS, Bernard Karl “Bernie” 76, of Tampa, FL passed away Wednesday, January 25, 2017 after a long battle with heart disease. He was born in Grand Rapids, MI to the late Conrad and Eleanor Grahs where he attended Catholic Central High School. Bernie served in the U.S. Navy on board the USS Truckee A0147 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He has faithfully attended Navy reunions with his shipmates for years. He graduated from Aquinas College and earned his MBA from Grand Valley State University. He was an accountant and retired from Spectra Metals in 2012. Bernie was a family man who loved to spend time with his wife, Judy cruising and traveling the world, golfing with his sons and fishing in the back yard with his grandchildren. He was an avid Tampa Bay Buccaneer fan and longtime season ticket holder. He attended the Bucs Super Bowl game in San Diego as well as several other Super Bowls. He also enjoyed greyhound racing and gaming in Las Vegas. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Ted, Conny and Greg. Bernie is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Judy; sons, Stephen and wife Victoria of Grand Rapids, MI, Ronald and wife Darcy of Tampa, FL, Michael and wife Erinn of Wesley Chapel, FL; daughter, Jean Joyce of Las Vegas, NV; sisters, Mary Ellen Hefferan, Margaret Switous, Joan McKay, Suzanne Krajewski, Janet Miller, Geri Jessup; grandchildren, Christopher, Andrew, Katelyn, Kayla, Tanner, Molly, Harrison, Jennifer, Jarrett and Tyler; great-granddaughter, Olivia. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church on Monday, January 30, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 29, 2017 at Loyless Funeral Home from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Flowers will be accepted or donations made in Bernie’s name to the American Diabetes Association. Following the funeral mass on Monday the family would like to invite everyone back to their home for a reception to continue to honor and celebrate Bernie's life.