J. Robert "Bob" Graves

J. Robert “Bob” Graves, 95, of Malvern, passed away on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at Paoli Hospital.

He was the beloved husband of the late Anita Belletti Graves, with whom he shared 70 years of marriage at the time of her passing in 2014.

Born in Philadelphia, Bob was the son of the late Henry Walter and Marguerite Erb Graves. He graduated Upper Darby High School in 1943, then attended University of Pennsylvania where he met Anita.

Bob was working for Gerber Baby Foods as The Philadelphia District manager when in 1969, he left the corporate world and started Main Line Party Rentals. He later acquired Van Tent rentals in Philadelphia.

Bob was a long-time member of the Union League and Waynesborough County Club and played on the Bridge team for both clubs. He also enjoyed the King of Prussia Rotary and Paoli Business Association. 

He founded and ran the Philadelphia Book Bank to help city schools acquire books for their students.

Bob was proud of America and believed in the American Dream.

Mr. Graves is survived by his son, John W. (Andrea) Graves; grandchildren, Michael (Jessica) Graves and Ashley (Rusty) Goulding; and great-grandchildren, Taylor, Ryan, Mikey and Lane Graves.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was also preceded in death by his son, Jay Robert Graves.

He was loved and will be missed.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Bob’s life during a lunch reception at the Waynesborough Country Club, 440 Darby Paoli Road, Paoli, on Wednesday, June 30th from 12 noon to 2 pm.

Contributions can be made in Bob's memory to one of his favorite charities - Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and The Heritage Foundation.

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