Peter John McGraw Sr, 73, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2026. Born on May 19, 1953, to Peter McGraw and Mary Susan (Sandy) McGraw in Biloxi, Mississippi, Peter lived a beautiful life and left a lasting impression on all those he encountered. 

Peter was a son, a brother, a husband, an uncle, a social worker, an entrepreneur and business owner, President of the S.R. Butler High School Football Booster Club, President of the Bama Beta Club, a Meals on Wheels volunteer, and a member of the Finance and Pastoral Council at St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church. Of all his titles, his most valued were “Dad” and “Papa Pete.” As the eldest of eight siblings, Peter set out to start his own family when he met his wife Patti at the age of nineteen. Serving as a manager at the local Burger Chef during college, he fell in love with his employee who didn’t like to be bossed around. When asked about the beginning of his love story, he would smile and say, “I knew she was the one the second she whacked me on the hand with a giant ice scoop.” Peter married Patti two years later and spent over 51 years of love, laughter, and working side by side. 

Peter and Patti had three children: P.J., Andrew, and Mary. Starting their own business together shortly after their youngest turned five, The Aquarium Shop was truly a family business that they operated for 33 years. They definitely had their hands full, but Peter still managed to balance faith, family, and his hobby turned business. He was a devout Catholic and made sure to enroll his children in Catholic school, helping them to become the people they are today. Even though he was busy running his business, he still attended as many sporting events and extracurricular activities his children participated in as he could. He would stay up late with them to help them finish their school projects and then turn around a few hours later in a bright Hawaiian fish shirt to help his customers with their own projects. Peter was always so outgoing and never met a stranger. He would spend hours talking to one customer– even if they were only there to buy a few crickets– because he genuinely cared about all who stepped foot into his store, building relationships with generations of customers. 

Even during the most difficult of times, Peter could make anyone laugh. From growing up always trying to make his mother laugh, horsing around with his siblings, telling the most absurd Dad jokes, making his amazing strawberry pie (his sister would always bring strawberries from Florida for), claiming that he was the “real Batman,” professing his love of Oreos, dancing in late night dance parties with his grandchildren and wife, to being the biggest cheerleader for all of his loved ones, Peter was truly a light. Although he is no longer with us physically, these memories and the laughter he brought will always be with those he encountered over his seventy-three beautiful years of life. 

Peter is survived by his beloved wife, Patti; his children, Peter John McGraw Jr. and his wife, Samantha; Andrew Thomas McGraw and his wife, Kelly; and Mary Elizabeth (McGraw) Rush and her husband, Chris. He was an immensely proud grandfather to Megan Loreen McGraw, Julia Rose McGraw, Caden Franklin McGraw, Cooper Thomas McGraw, Audrey Grace Rush, Elizabeth Jane Rush, and Charlotte Susanne Rush. 

He is also survived by his father, Peter McGraw; his siblings, Mary Ann (McGraw) Thomas, Bridget McGraw, Judith McGraw-Gregory, Gretchen McGraw Ruiz, James McGraw and his wife, Kristin, and Arthur McGraw and his wife, Lisa; his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Ray Hunt, Patrick Hunt and his wife, Cindy, and Virginia Beshears; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Susan (Sandy) McGraw; his sister, Susan McGraw; his parents-in-law, Edwin and Margaret Hunt; and his brothers- and sisters-in-law, B.J. Thomas, Edwin Hunt III, Glenellen Hunt, and Randy Beshears. 

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at St Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church in Huntsville, AL, beginning with Visitation at 9:30 AM, followed by the Rosary at 10:45 AM and the Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made that reflect Peter's lifelong commitment to faith, education, and serving others: Holy Family School in Huntsville, Alabama CLICK HERE TO DONATE, or St Vincent de Paul in Huntsville, Alabama CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Berryhill Funeral Home is assisting the family.