Remembering Deacon Michael Grafner
- Denver Catholic Staff
- May 2
- 2 min read
Known for humble service, practical wisdom and a heart for others, the "Deacon of the Boiler Room" embodied the heart of the diaconate
Deacon Michael Grafner, beloved husband, father, and faithful servant of Christ, passed away on March 23, 2025, at the age of 72. He was born on July 29, 1952, in Libertyville, Illinois, to Otto and Norma Grafner.
From the age of 14, he worked alongside his father in the heating and air conditioning trade, a path that would shape not only his career but his approach to life: hardworking, hands-on and deeply committed to serving others. Over time, he recognized that his life was not defined by his own plans but by God’s.
“I finally realized it was not about my plans but God’s plan,” he once said, recalling his journey of faith. “He is in charge, not me, and I turned my life over to him.”
Ordained to the diaconate by Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila on January 25, 2014, Deacon Grafner was first assigned to Christ the King Parish in Evergreen. Reassigned in 2022, he ministered to the sick at St. Anthony Central Hospital and served faithfully at Christ on the Mountain Parish in Lakewood. He was a dedicated volunteer with local food banks and charities, always seeing Christ in the poor.
Known affectionately as the “Deacon of the Boiler Room,” he offered his mechanical expertise to parishes in need, never leaving a family or a parish in the cold. With his wife, Veronica, he made sure every customer was cared for with dignity and warmth.
“Deacon Michael served with his hands, his heart and his whole life,” said Deacon Ernest Martinez, archdiocesan director of deacons. “His example of humble, joyful service, especially to the poor and sick, embodied the very heart of the diaconate.”
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Veronica, their three children, and a granddaughter. A Mass of Christian burial was held April 4, 2025, at Christ on the Mountain Parish in Lakewood, celebrated by Bishop Jorge Rodriguez, PhD, and concelebrated by several priests of the Archdiocese of Denver.
