Richard "Gitch" Graff

Richard “Gitch” Graff, 52, of South Nyack, passed away on July 15, 2019. Born in the Bronx on December 12, 1966 to Francis and Rosemarie Graff, they moved to Valley Cottage in 1970. Richard was a 1985 graduate of Nyack High School and a graduate of Rockland Community College in 1988. He was a proud member of the NYPD, retired in 2005, and worked as a private investigator for the Lydecker Agency for 6 years. Rich was a football and softball coach for the Valley Cottage Indians and a basketball coach for St. Paul’s CYO. He was also a member of the Haverstraw Elks. Richard was an avid Yankees and Giants fan. He was a devoted husband and father whose greatest joy came from his family.

Richard was predeceased by his parents, Francis and Rosemarie, and his sister Donna Marie. He is survived by his wife Liana of South Nyack, his daughters Brittany of Valley Cottage, and Carlye of South Nyack; and his brothers, Frank of Fishkill, and John of Valley Cottage as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Visiting will be held at Michael J. Higgins Funeral Home, New City from 4pm to 8pm on Thursday, July 18. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, 11am, at St. Paul’s Church in Congers, cremation will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Richard’s memory to The ALS Association of Greater NY, 42 Broadway Suite #1724, NY, NY 10004.