Br. Michael Graf, OFM Cap., a native of Kiel, Wisconsin, died in Tucson, Arizona, on March 2, at age 72, after suffering for years from congestive heart failure. At the time of his death he was Local Vicar of San Jose Friary and also assisted in Christian Formation at Our Lady of Fatima Parish. Br. Michael was named Daniel at the time of his birth at Sheboygan, Wisconsin on June 15, 1940. His parents, Walter and Marie (Maltby) Graf, ran a tavern in Kiel and it was there that he began to develop the spirit of conviviality and hospitality that would mark much of his later life and ministry as a Capuchin friar. He was invested with the Capuchin habit in 1959 and made his first profession the following year. He was solemnly professed in March 1963. Following some years of additional training, he worked as a cook at St. Joseph Parish, Appleton, for several years before receiving a bachelor's degree in Religious Studies from SI. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin. He was so esteemed by his fellow friars at SI. Joseph's that they elected him Local Vicar in 1973, a rather revolutionary step for a lay friar at the time and one that was supported by the Provincial Minister and Council. In 1975, Br. Michael began nine years of service as a vocation director at SI. Lawrence Seminary High School and for the Province. During that time he brought countless students to "the Hill" for weekend visits or Super Action Retreats. He continued his ministry with youth in 1984, when he became part of the team at St. Clare Capuchin Retreat in St. Clare, Michigan. He helped to launch the successful golf outing fund raiser, which is now a staple of other ministries in the Province of st. Joseph. Following the end of his retreat ministry in 1991, Br. Michael spent the bulk of his remaining years working as a pastoral associate in parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit. In 1998, he was asked by the Province to initiate a new presence of the friars in Tucson, Arizona: Casa San Jose, housed in the former convent of St. Augustine Cathedral, has served since then as a residence for missionaries returning from years of working in warmer climates and for friars doing pastoral work in the Diocese of Tucson. While at Casa San Jose, Br. Michael served three terms as Local Minister and was in his second term as Local Vicar. Br. Michael was preceded in death by his parents; his uncle and aunt. James and Angeline Graf; stepmother, Katherine; as well as his brother, Charles (Chuck): Sister, Sue Ann (Reichwald); and stepbrother, Curt Duecker; along with cousins, Robert (Elaine) Graf and Harvey (Esther) Graf. He is survived by his brother, Jim (Yolanda) of Sheboygan; stepsisters, Mary Kay (Edward) Stevens of Tampa, FL; and Diane (Steve) Saunders of Peoria, Arizona; and sister-in-law, Martha Graf of Appleton; stepsister-in-Iaw, Charlotte Duecker of Sheboygan; along with beloved nieces, Nicole and Danielle Graf, Renee Griep; nephew, Randy Reichwald; and niece, Rachel Reichwald. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, March 11, 2013 at St. Isidore the Farmer Parish – Holy Cross Church, 308 County Road W in Mount Calvary. Burial will be in the St. Lawrence Friary Cemetery in Mount Calvary at a later date. Visitation for Br. Michael Graf will take place at St. Isidore the Farmer Parish – Holy Cross Church on Sunday, March 10th from 5 to 7 PM and again Monday morning from 9 to 10:15 AM. A Vigil Service will be held at the church Sunday evening at 7:00 PM.