Dr. Charles J. Graffeo died April 15th at Huntsville Hospital Hospice Family Care.
He was a Birmingham native, son of Nick and Margaret Graffeo and a brother to Nick Graffeo, Jr., Mary Francis Graffeo, and Margaret Rose Graffeo. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Anne Campbell Graffeo; son, Charles Campbell Graffeo, M.D.; granddaughters, Hollis Catherine Graffeo and Erin Jennings Graffeo; nephews, Tony Graffeo, Barry Graffeo, Nick Graffeo III, and many great nieces and nephews.
After finishing high school at John Carroll in Birmingham, he attended Vanderbilt University on a football scholarship, graduated from Birmingham Southern College, then completed his DMD degree at UAB School of Dentistry in 1961. He was drafted by the Army during the Cold War and the Berlin Wall Crisis and was sent to Frankfurt, Germany for two years, from 1961 to 1963. He loved the Army and enjoyed every minute of his military career, serving for 30 years in the Reserves and retiring as a colonel.
He practiced dentistry in Huntsville for 53 years and retired in 2018. He was a member of the Huntsville Madison County Dental Association, the Alabama Dental Association, and the Alabama Academy of General Dentistry earning a Mastership in the Academy. He was awarded the Academy’s Alabama Dentist of the Year in 2015.
In addition to his dental career, he was involved in civic and service organizations that benefited the community and the state. He was a member and captain of the Quarterback Club, a member of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board, and a board member of Alabama Heritage until his death.
Guntersville Lake has been a favorite place for him for many happy weekends. He loved duck hunting in the area and participating in water sports with family and friends. Alabama football was his favorite sport, and he was a superfan of the Crimson Tide.
There will be a graveside service at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 20th in Maple Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to your favorite charity.
