Michael John DeGrazia, 62
Michael John DeGrazia, 62, of West Wareham, Massachusetts, passed away on July 7, 2026 after a courageous 22-month battle with glioblastoma, surrounded by the love of his family.
Throughout his journey, Mike faced every challenge with remarkable strength, optimism, and the enduring spirit of his self-created caricature "The Chooch" whose simple motto, “Yagood”—all is good today and always—became a reflection of how he chose to live each day.
Born on July 20, 1963 and raised in Franklin, Massachusetts, Mike was the son of the late Michael “Mickey”DeGrazia and Mildred “Millie” DeGrazia. He attended Franklin schools, where he excelled in football, baseball, and track. He graduated from Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School as a plumbing apprentice and continued his education at UMass Amherst and Dean College before pursuing a lifelong dream of becoming a stuntman, driving cross-country to California to chase that ambition. After several years, he returned home to Massachusetts, where he worked alongside his father in the family plumbing business before spending a few years at the Watertown Arsenal and then beginning a distinguished career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers retiring as a Construction Control Representative. Mike devoted more than 35 years of civilian service with the federal government, overseeing countless construction projects throughout New England. His commitment to serving others extended beyond his everyday work through deployments with FEMA, assisting communities recovering from disasters in Virginia and Florida. He took great pride in his work and always went above and beyond, wherever he was needed.
Mike is survived by his devoted wife, Lisa DeGrazia (Morris); his son, Michael J. DeGrazia Jr.; his stepdaughter, Shelby McClintock; and his grandson, Denarius. He also leaves behind his sisters, Laurie Carlucci and her fiancé, Michael Riu, and Lynn Sauter and her husband, Tim Sauter, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins in the Franklin area, as well as many extended family members, friends, and colleagues who will miss him dearly.
Outside of work, Mike embraced life with enthusiasm. He loved skiing and hiking in the mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont, regularly attending NASCAR and Patriots games, golfing with his Army Corps friends during weekly rounds, annual Cape Cod tournaments in Dennis and Myrtle Beach and visits to Florida with his family as a child that continued into his adult life. He treasured camping adventures with the Sauter family, competing in cornhole tournaments for charity or simply for fun, and relaxing around the backyard fire pit with family and friends while enjoying a cold beer after a long week’s work. He found great satisfaction in caring for the home and yard he loved, having friends and family over for backyard gatherings, and always putting the needs of others before his own.
Above all else, Mike’s greatest joy was his family. He was endlessly proud of his son, Michael, and loved nothing more than spending hours together building LEGO's, assembling train sets, staging superhero battles, racing Matchbox cars, or simply watching the trains go by on their way home from Nana and Papa’s. He proudly coached his son in sports, sharing not only skills and techniques but also lessons in perseverance, sportsmanship, and patience. Watching the young man his son became was one of Mike’s greatest accomplishments and deepest sources of pride. Mike also possessed a creative spirit and a wonderful sense of humor, making friends with almost everyone he met.
The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Ho, Dr. Vega, and the entire team at the Beth Israel Deaconess Boston Brain Tumor Clinic for their exceptional care, compassion, and unwavering dedication. Their efforts gave Mike the precious gift of more time, something he treasured above all else. We also want to thank Compassionate Care Hospice who ensured Mike was comfortable and affectionately cared for in his final days.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mike’s memory may be made to www.glioblastomafoundation.org to support research toward finding a cure for this devastating disease. Mike’s kindness, generosity, strength, and unwavering love for his family will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. In his honor, may we always remember the good times with our loved ones and friends, spend more time enjoying what we’re passionate about, and think of Mike whenever we crack open a nice cold Sam Adams. We invite you to share your memories and upload photos of Michael to the memorial page.
Services are humbly entrusted into the care of Southcoast Funeral Homes at Ferreira Chapel "Celebrating A Life Well Lived"
