Father John L. Graden, an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales since 1966, and a Roman Catholic priest since 1976, died on January 20, 2021, in Buffalo, NY. He was 74 years old.

In addition to his many confreres in the Oblates, he is survived by his siblings, Jeanne, Joseph (Mary Pat) and Mary Jo (Hilary); many nieces, nephews and cousins.

John was pre-deceased by his grandparents, Joseph and Lilly Haddad and John F. and Pearl Graden; his parents, John L., and Dorothy Graden; and his half-sister, Ethel Arobogast.

St. Francis de Sales had claim on Father John for a long time. In Toledo he attended St. Francis de Sales Parish, St. Francis de Sales Grade School (1952) and St. Francis de Sales High School (1964) after which he joined the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. John attended Niagara University (BS in biology, 1969), the University of St. Michael's College in Toronto (Masters of Divinity, 1975), and Seattle University (Masters in Religious Education, 1977).

His work and ministry included teaching high school at Bishop Duffy High School in Niagara Falls, NY, Toledo Central Catholic High School in Toledo, OH, and St. Francis de Sales High School in Toledo, OH. He was the Vocation Director for the Oblates and a member of the Formation Team.

In 1988, John formed WORD Consultants (Toledo) as a teaching firm in which he and others would provide adults education and training, as well as parish missions and retreats. He also worked for many years for UNBOUND preaching for Catholic missions around the world.

In 2002, John became the Director of the De Sales Center at Stella Niagara, NY, now known as Embraced by God at De Sales Resources and Ministries. People have said how they will miss his preaching and presiding at Eucharist, his crooked smile and hearty laugh.

At various stages of his life John dealt with many health issues and learned from Francis de Sales to see even sickness as a prayer of communing with Christ Jesus.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 28 at Gesu Parish in Toledo, OH. Viewing will begin at 10:00 a.m., in the church, followed by a Mass of the Resurrection at 11:00 a.m., then internment at Resurrection Cemetery in Toledo, OH. Click here for a live stream of Fr. Graden's mass: < https://vimeo.com/event/634770 >, anytime after 10:45am on Thursday and you will be directly connected to the Live Stream of Father John L. Graden's Funeral Mass.

A Memorial Mass in St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, 620 Center Street Lewiston, NY will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 6:00 P.M.

At John's request, contributions in his memory may be made to the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, P.O Box 2868, Toledo, OH 43606, Embraced by God, 4421 Lower River Rd., Stella Niagara, NY 14144, or any good works of your choice. Condolences may be sent to John's brother: Joe Graden, 2440 Whitechapel Dr., Toledo, OH 43614.

Local arrangements by M.J. Colucci & Son Niagara Funeral Chapel. Visit mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for online condolences.