Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2022 The passing of “a proud Marine” Marty Graney — a loving family man, “a friend of Saugus” and an advocate for fellow veterans — dies at age 79 By Mark E. Vogler F riends in the local veterans community described Marty Graney as “a proud Marine” and an unassuming Saugonian who preferred to work quietly behind the scenes to help his fellow vets while keeping his personal life private. But at their Tuesday (April 19) night meeting — just a day after his death at age 79, selectmen gave Graney a public tribute by honoring him with a moment of silence that was followed by some words of high praise. “Marty was a long time vet from Saugus, who was a well-respected member of the community,” Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano said, before calling the meeting to order. “He was a very proud Marine and Marty will surely be missed,” Cogliano said. Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Debra Panetta called Graney “a wonderful person.” “He was giving. He was • • • at all the different functions, and I feel as though I lost a friend and a friend of Saugus, because he was everywhere. He gave so much of himself to this town, and God Bless him and his family and my sincere condolences,” Panetta said. Family members, relatives, friends and acquaintances will get to pay their respects to Graney today (Friday, April 22) during visiting hours in the Bisbee-Porcella Funeral Home (549 Lincoln Ave., Saugus) from 3 to 6 p.m. A funeral will be held from the funeral home tomorrow (Saturday, April 23) at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral mass in St. Margaret’s Church (431 Lincoln Ave., Saugus) at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Saugus. A VETERAN AMONGST FRIENDS: Even as his health deteriorated, U.S. Marine veteran Marty Graney (front) didn’t allow his mobility challenges and breathing problems from restricting his involvement in local veterans’ activities. Back row, left to right: Veterans Graves Registration Offi cer Randy P. Briand, Saugus Veterans Council Member Mary McKenzie and VFW Past Commander Nicholas Milo joined Graney at a POW/MIA ceremony at Veterans Park last fall. (Saugus Advocate fi le photo by Tara Vocino) “Always ready to lend a hand to those in need” Local veterans leaders this week remembered Graney as a reliable veteran who was active in veterans events and was always committed to helping those who served who found themselves needing help. “Yes, the news of Marty’s passing is certainly spreading far and wide,” former Veterans Service Offi cer Jay Pinette told The Saugus Advocate. “I think this is a function of the fact that Marty was very well known and had a lot of support and friends around town. Marty was always ready to lend a hand to those in need,” Pinette recalled of his working relationship with Graney on projects that helped town veterans. “Even as his health was starting to become an issue, ‘do you need a hand’ was usually the next thing that he would ask after ‘how ya doin’,” he said. Pinette, 67, a U.S. Marine veteran who lives in Wakefi eld, retired from his part-time position at Town Hall last week after four years. Saugus Veterans Council Commander Stephen L. Castinetti described Graney as a modest man who continued to make huge contributions to the betterment of area veterans right up til the fi nal weeks of his life. “Marty Graney... there was only one and, if you knew him, you never forgot him,” said Castinetti, a retired U.S. Navy captain. “Marty was a proud Marine who was always present and committed to veterans functions, parades, ceremonies and more. Whether it was a Veterans Council meeting in Saugus or the Marine Corps Birthday Veterans Day ceremony at Beverly High School, Marty was there,” Castinetti told The Saugus Advocate. “On April 4th, the Saugus Veterans Council had our monthly meeting, and Marty arranged for the Commander of the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home to be our guest that evening. Even though he had great diffi culty and was at the end of his life, Marty didn’t give up.
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