Everett Grahn

Everett Herman Grahn, 76, passed away on May 3, 2016 at home after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Born in Worcester, MA, Everett was a lifelong resident of Millbury. After graduating from Millbury High School in 1957 he joined the Coast Guard and later returned home where he worked at the Norton Company. He went on to work as a salesman at Ballard Motor Sales in Millbury. After years at the car dealership, in 1988 the family business changed to Ballard Mack Trucks in Worcester, MA (later Ballard Truck Center). He retired from his position as Vice President of Ballard Truck Center in 2009.

Over the years Everett volunteered many hours on the Board of Directors of the Millbury Federal Credit Union and the Millbury Senior Center. He also served on the Millbury Board of Registrars and was an active member of the Lake Singletary Watershed Association. Everett was a lifelong member of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Worcester, MA. His Swedish grandparents were founding members of the church in 1896. He faithfully served the church in many roles over the years and often gave his time and handyman talents to help keep the facility running smoothly.

Everett especially enjoyed times spent with family and friends at the family camp at Lake Singletary in Sutton, MA and vacationing in Aruba. He faithfully cheered for his Red Sox, Celtics, and Patriots (and whatever sports teams his sons and grandsons were playing for that season!).

Everett was preceded in death by his parents, Herman Carl Grahn and Calla (Gustafson) Grahn; his brother, Norman Grahn; and his beloved niece, Jeryl (Picking) Anderson. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 54 years, Janet (Picking) Grahn; his son, Steven Grahn of Leicester and his wife Michelle (Franchi) Grahn; his son, Barry Grahn and his wife Kathleen (Mears) Grahn of Riverton, NJ; his beloved grandchildren, Samantha, Rebecca, Christopher and Matthew Grahn; his brother, Harold Grahn; his brother-in-law, Robert K. Picking and sister-in-law Ginny (Wilbur) Picking; special nephew John Picking and Nancy (Lynch) Picking; and great nieces and nephews Robert D. Picking, Larissa Picking, Scott Anderson and Valerie Anderson; nephew Robert Grahn and Michelle (Snyder) Grahn; niece Debora (Grahn) Dresser and David Dresser and great nephew Zachary Dresser and great niece Kalla Dresser. He will also be greatly missed by many cousins and dear friends, including Harriet and David ("Mike") Ducharme and his co-workers at Ballard Truck Center.

Everett's memorial service will be celebrated on Saturday, May 7th at 11 a.m. in Emanuel Lutheran Church, 200 Greenwood Street in Worcester. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Everett's name to the Emanuel Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 200 Greenwood Street, Worcester, MA 01607 or the Friends of the Millbury Seniors, 1 River Street, Millbury, MA 01527.