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WHEREAS, we celebrate "HAPPY BIRTHDAY ED GRAF" commemorating eighty (80) wonderful and rich years of life and God's Blessings for many, many more!
WHEREAS, Ed Graf, a long-time North Sider began his professional career as an attorney and CPA. He received a Bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and Juris Doctor from Duquesne University School of Law. Ed rose to the position of Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer with the very well known, worldwide Pittsburgh-based advertising agency, Ketchum Communications, retiring in 1997. While at Ketchum, Ed served on the Board of Directors of the Financial Executives Institute, including a term as its Chair.
WHEREAS, Ed and Mary Ann Graf (his late wife of 52 years very much missed since her passing in 2014), were pioneers in the City's Deutschtown neighborhood for over 30 years, investing considerable time, energy and funding into making their community a better place. They started with a mission that turned into a phenomenal vision remaking the community and bringing new life to it once again.
WHEREAS, in 1984, Mary Ann cheerfully, if sarcastically, delivered news to Ed upon his return from an overseas business trip, "Well, we bought a church!" St. Mary's Church and Priory, purchased at auction. The long-time empty church had become a harbor for crime and decay. Friends and family thought they were crazy!
In '86, they transformed the abandoned St. Mary's Priory into the Priory Hotel, creating an anchor in the neighborhood, drawing visitors from around the world and sparking a renaissance in the area where once-blighted historic homes and storefronts have now been restored to their original grandeur.
WHEREAS, in 1955, Ed and Mary Ann along with oldest son, John and his wife Suzanne doubled down on their investments in the North Side and rehabbed the adjacent church into Pittsburgh's Grand Hall at the Priory, a first class event venue. In 2011, they debuted the $2.5 million dollar expan...
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