Edmund A. "Ed" Grafstrom, Jr.

Edmund A. Grafstrom, Jr. passed away on March 31, 2020 at the age of 51 surrounded by family and friends. Ed was born in Media, PA on October 21, 1968. He was the beloved son of Kathleen (Hogan) and the late Edmund A. Grafstrom, Sr. Ed is survived by his loving wife, Christine J. (Grayum) and their two sons, E. Alexander and John Zachary and by Alex’s girlfriend Jacquelyn Ciano. Ed is also survived by his brother Rick Hogan, sister-in-law Liz (Rick) Duffy, sister-in-law Cecilia (Paul) Amatangelo and brother-in-law Brad (Marianne Consentino) Grayum, mother-in-law Rita Grayum as well as many adored nieces, nephews, godchildren and countless close friends.

Ed attended Cardinal O’Hara High School where he met his wife Christine and many lifelong friends. He was a member of the baseball team, Zoo Crew and drama department. Ed went on to earn a degree in Industrial Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University. He also played baseball there and was a brother in the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. After college, Ed became a member of the St. Francis Players, eventually assisting his mother-in-law as an Assistant Director. When she retired from Directing, Ed took over and truly became the heart and soul of the Players. His top priority was creating a family filled environment on and off the stage. He considered the Players his extended family. Ed’s pre-show speeches were unmatched and always ended with a heartfelt reminder that he learned from his father - to always tell the people in your life how much you love them. Ed most definitely practiced what he preached.
As his children began to play sports, they were inspired by their older cousins to play lacrosse. Ed reluctantly gave up baseball and softball to put his all into lacrosse. Ed was instrumental in the development and growth of the Springfield Lacrosse youth program. Ed was dedicated to the program, coaching all ages but most recently coaching U9 alongside his sons through the summer of 2019. At the time of his passing, Ed was the President of RJM Sales where he had worked since college graduation. Ed’s happy places were Disney World, Avalon, the sidelines of his sons games and corridors of their art shows along with anywhere his nieces, nephews (biological and non) and godchildren were.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Visitation Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020 6pm O'Leary Funeral Home, 640 E. Springfield Rd. Springfield, PA 19064 and Friday morning 9:30am St. Francis of Assisi Church, 136 Saxer Ave, Springfield, PA and to his Funeral Mass 11am in the Church. Burial private. In his memory, contributions may be made to The Ed Grafstrom ‘Clap It Up’ Players Memorial Fund, 401 N Rolling Rd Springfield PA 19064.

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