Donald Joseph “D.J.” Graziani, 68, departed this life on Dec. 21, 2020, as a result of early onset Alzheimer’s disease. He was born April 21, 1952, in Fairmont, the son of the late Paul and Betty (Spadafore) Graziani.
D.J. graduated from Fairmont Senior High School and earned a bachelor of music education degree from Marshall University and taught in several schools in Monongalia County. He also maintained a private brass studio for decades and many of his students went on to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in music and play professionally.
He became a licensed real estate appraiser and opened his own business, Graziani Appraisal Services, which he operated successfully for 15 years.
An accomplished musician and excellent trumpet player, D.J. was a frequent soloist in various area churches for regular services, holiday services, weddings and events. Along with his solo engagements, D.J. played with a variety of groups including: the Band Director’s Big Band under the direction of Dusty Rhodes; Appalachian Brass Quintet (including in Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh); WV Public Theatre; Morgantown Municipal Band for July 4 celebrations; Brassability Brass Quintet, and Brass in the Grass each spring at Alderson Broaddus University.
D.J. married his beloved wife, Rebecca Cobb, in 2000. Their talent and shared love of music gave them the opportunity to perform duets together in area church services and for wedding services. D.J. always spoke fondly of their service to Christ Episcopal Church in Clarksburg and Bridgeport United Methodist Church. He greatly enjoyed singing and touring together with Rebecca as vocalists and members of Camerata Appalachia, traveling to Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic and other European countries.
An avid traveler, D.J. cherished his many personal trips to Italy with Rebecca as well as their trips exploring sites in the U.S. A man who knew no strangers, D.J. loved mixing it up and having enthusiastic conversations with the locals. He was particularly delighted in partaking the local cuisines — the more adventurous the better — and exploring both conventional and out-of-the-way places. D.J. felt a deep connection to and admiration of Florence, Italy — his favorite destination. He often spoke of Florence’s history, architecture, beauty and culture and the special place it held in his heart.
D.J. was very fond of animals and enjoyed the pets of friends and families as well as his own beloved cats, Keagan, Lucia, and Elizabeth. A car enthusiast, he had restored Corvaires and enjoyed attending vintage car shows. He was a fervent Pens fan and enjoyed going to games in Pittsburgh with Rebecca.
In addition to his parents, D.J. was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Frank Graziani and Carmela Valicenti Graziani, and maternal grandparents, John and Sarah Spadafore. Surviving, in addition to his wife, Rebecca Cobb, are his brothers, Dr. Ron Graziani and his wife Cheryl, of Fairmont, and Robert Graziani and his wife Cheryl, of Bentonville, Ark. He is also survived by his two stepsons and their wives, Dr. Ross Israel and Dr. Melissa Roemmele, of Los Angeles, and Joshua and Amber Israel and granddaughter, Jemma, of Indianapolis, Ind. Additional close surviving family members include Jeff and Ellen Cobb Church, of Herndon, Va., and their sons, Adam Church, also of Herndon, Va., and Clark Church, of Arvada, Colo.; David and MaryLue Cobb, of Fairfax, Va.; and Doug and Ginger Cobb and their sons, Doug and Andrew, all of Bethesda, Md. Along with his family members, D.J. will be greatly missed by his many friends, especially John Fallon, of Fairmont; John and Barbara Sullivan, of Fairmont; Jamie and Diane Logue, of Clarksburg; and Cynthia Coulson,
of Charleston.
D.J. was a Catholic by faith and a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Bridgeport, where a private Mass will be held.
A celebration of life will be held in 2021 when family and friends can gather safely and commemorate D.J. the way he lived — with music, good food, joy, laughter and love.
Memorial donations may be made in D.J.’s name to West Virginia Caring (wvcaring.org or P.O. Box 760, Arthurdale, WV 26520) or the Marion County Humane Society (mchswv.com or P.O. Box 905, Fairmont, WV 26554). The Randolph Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been entrusted with the arrangements for Donald Joseph “D.J.” Graziani.
Condolences:
www.therandolphfuneralhome.com
