Fred and the late Jean Graff.
Carrying on the tradition of choosing a worthy recipient for “Citizen Of The Year” during Knox Horsethief Days, Edenburg Lodge 550 F&AM is proud to select FRED & the Late JEAN GRAFF.
Fred and Jean Graff have been living in, working for, volunteering, and generally making the entire Knox Area better for over 70 years. Most noticeable has been the fact that they have served as the “Chroniclers of Events” since they opened their photography business, Photo Graffs in 1988.
Fred was born and raised on the Graff Family farm in Wentling Corners and built his own home there. It also served as his photography studio and business. He worked on the family farm, graduated from White Memorial, and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He met Jean one evening in Tionesta as she was coming home from choir practice. He blocked her path with his brand new DeSoto and asked her to hop in. She got in the back seat, scooted out the other side and kept on walking home. Fred, impressed with her spunk, followed her home, introduced himself to Jean’s mother, and asked to be introduced to her daughter. That fated encounter started a long friendship that lasted over 71 years of marriage until Jean’s passing on May 29th of this year, just one week after learning of this newest honor.
They were always together helping each other with whatever project they had going. Fred worked at Knox Glass as a mold maker where he created the molds to produce hundreds of the master molds for foods and drinks sold around the world. He is a true Craftsman! He has made many intricately detailed guns. His guns served him well as he represented Knox while becoming a State Champion in both skeet and trap shooting. Jean and his family were always at his side to cheer him on. He also taught many others to shoot and excel at the sport.
An avid and very good bowler, Fred shared his expertise wherever he could. He and Jean were especially happy when the Mt. Joy Lanes came to the area.
For over 61 years he has been a dedicated member of the Edenburg Masonic Lodge. Jean was a member of the Eastern Star where she served as Pianist and received her 50-year service pin. Both of them participated in many committees and ceremonies throughout the years.Jean was, as she described it, “the consummate volunteer.” Fred and she worked together to achieve whatever needed to be done throughout the area whether it was creating the Lighthouse Awards for the Civic Club which has been given to deserving students at Keystone Elementary or building and installing the miniature lighthouse in the school. They did it together! St. Paul’s Lutheran Church echoed with the sounds of Jean’s musical talents from the piano and organ to the choir to Vacation Bible School. Her musical talents also made a big impact in the Knox Community Choir and the Community Theater Group. And her artistic and tasteful creations were a welcome addition to Vickers Florist for many years.
Although their time was filled with service projects and volunteering, they always made Family their priority! Blessed with, “The two best daughters that could ever be,” they made sure that they had experiences and laughter to remember. Their family thrived in this atmosphere of love, faith, service, and laughter and has grown to include a Daughter, Elizabeth Mays and her husband David, Grandson Justin Mays and his wife Hope, Granddaughter Brittnay Mays and her wife Anneke Chewning; Daughter Janis Hook and Grandsons Marc and Todd Hook; and Great Grandchildren Reagan, Saydee, and Justin Mays II.
Fred and Jean operated best as a team when they were busy taking pictures that chronicled the lives of people and events around the Knox area! In fact, every Horsethief Celebration for over 30 years has been documented by Photo Graffs as well as weddings, graduations, theater productions. baptisms, reunions, civic events, and all of the many gatherings that make this community a wonderful place to live! Jean’s eye for details like a crooked corsage or hair that needed to be tamed dovetailed perfectly with Fred’s technical photographic expertise. They were a team!
When asked what it was about the Knox area that attracted them, they both commented that it was a calm, friendly place to live and work and that their hope for the future is that it remains that way!
It is with deep respect for the many years of service and commitment to the Knox area that we award Fred and Jean Graff the honor of Citizens of the Year 2024.
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