Philip Sean Graves, age 57, of New Prague, passed unexpectedly at his home with his family at his side on Saturday, July 15, 2023. Philip was born on May 28, 1966 in Minneapolis to Philip and Inez (Lawler) Graves, Jr. He graduated from Washburn High School and went on to attend the University of Minnesota and Hennepin Technical College. He was employed as the Director of Fleet Maintenance at Lake Country.
During high school, Philip met a young woman who would immediately capture his heart. Michelle Maskiell was working at Valley Fair and met Philip while planning a double date. The two felt an immediate connection and went on to become fast friends, dated on and off, and eventually went their separate ways. Years later, they reconnected and talked on the phone for 13 hours, realized that they were always meant to be together and finally married on July 24, 2010 in Belle Plaine, MN. Philip was always bigger than life, captivating the company he was in with his smile and always being the first to offer help wherever it was needed. He loved anything to do with cars, whether it was fixing them up to resell, painting them, building and playing with remote control cars with his kids. He raced BMX bikesas a kid and even took the championship in one of the races. He was athletic, playing football and running track in high school and taking a state championship in track. His children were the focus of Philip's life and he was as big a kid as they were, playing video games and collaborating on which new game to get as soon as they came out. He had a penchant for anything fun and his video gaming included Capn' Crunch and Kool Aid to snack on while gaming. And by the way, ketchup was put on almost everything that Philip ate! Frequent fishing trips to Cedar Lake were a favorite pastime for Philip and Michelle. Philip touched a lot of lives and the loss of his presence has left a hole difficult to fill.
Philip is survived by his loving wife, Michelle Graves of New Prague; children, Nicholas (Ashley) Bustamante, Miles Graves, Blaze Graves, Jazmine Graves, Isabella Bustamante, Philip Graves, Jr.; mother, Inez DeMare; sister, Charissa (Michael) Hulse; furbaby, Lucy. He is preceded in death by his father.
A Celebration of Life open house will be held Monday, July 24, 2023 from 1-7 PM at Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park (25875 Juniper Ave., New Prague, MN). Please bring a dish to share; BBQ will be provided. Balloon release will take place at 6:30 PM.
