Veteran World War II ~ European Theatre & North African Theatre
Art, as he was called by everyone, was born Arthur James Nye and was a "county boy" before the age of 4. He was fostered and then adopted in January, 1928, by John & Jennie (Dustin) Grafly. He was raised in both Holland & Sardinia, N.Y.
Art married Nancy Pratt on April 4, 1947, in Holland, N.Y. at the home of her mother. They initially settled in Holland, had their first child, and moved to Cleveland as part of his employment with M & G Convoy, Inc. As a dispatcher he was responsible for the movement of trucks carrying new cars for delivery from Ohio across to the Northeastern seaboard.
In Cleveland, they were fortunate to have another Holland couple as neighbors. It was the magical 1948 Indians baseball season, culminating in a World Series win, and they enjoyed attending many games at Municipal Stadium with their fellow Hollanders. Nancy kept a few programs, and when found after her death years later, Bob Feller autographed both during a book signing event. His only two grandsons now own these treasures of baseball & family history.
In early 1949 Art, Nancy, and their baby moved back to Holland, purchased their first home, and prepared for the birth of their second child. One week after the child's birth Art was killed in an auto accident on icy roads in the town of West Seneca, N.Y. Thus ended what seemed to be a promising life. His wake and funeral, like his marriage, was held at the Pratt residence, in Holland, New York. Burial on November 8, 1949, was in the Holland Protestant Cemetery.
Art, as he was called by everyone, was born Arthur James Nye and was a "county boy" before the age of 4. He was fostered and then adopted in January, 1928, by John & Jennie (Dustin) Grafly. He was raised in both Holland & Sardinia, N.Y.
Art married Nancy Pratt on April 4, 1947, in Holland, N.Y. at the home of her mother. They initially settled in Holland, had their first child, and moved to Cleveland as part of his employment with M & G Convoy, Inc. As a dispatcher he was responsible for the movement of trucks carrying new cars for delivery from Ohio across to the Northeastern seaboard.
In Cleveland, they were fortunate to have another Holland couple as neighbors. It was the magical 1948 Indians baseball season, culminating in a World Series win, and they enjoyed attending many games at Municipal Stadium with their fellow Hollanders. Nancy kept a few programs, and when found after her death years later, Bob Feller autographed both during a book signing event. His only two grandsons now own these treasures of baseball & family history.
In early 1949 Art, Nancy, and their baby moved back to Holland, purchased their first home, and prepared for the birth of their second child. One week after the child's birth Art was killed in an auto accident on icy roads in the town of West Seneca, N.Y. Thus ended what seemed to be a promising life. His wake and funeral, like his marriage, was held at the Pratt residence, in Holland, New York. Burial on November 8, 1949, was in the Holland Protestant Cemetery.
Veteran World War II ~ European Theatre & North African Theatre
Art, as he was called by everyone, was born Arthur James Nye and was a "county boy" before the age of 4. He was fostered and then adopted in January, 1928, by John & Jennie (Dustin) Grafly. He was raised in both Holland & Sardinia, N.Y.
Art married Nancy Pratt on April 4, 1947, in Holland, N.Y. at the home of her mother. They initially settled in Holland, had their first child, and moved to Cleveland as part of his employment with M & G Convoy, Inc. As a dispatcher he was responsible for the movement of trucks carrying new cars for delivery from Ohio across to the Northeastern seaboard.
In Cleveland, they were fortunate to have another Holland couple as neighbors. It was the magical 1948 Indians baseball season, culminating in a World Series win, and they enjoyed attending many games at Municipal Stadium with their fellow Hollanders. Nancy kept a few programs, and when found after her death years later, Bob Feller autographed both during a book signing event. His only two grandsons now own these treasures of baseball & family history.
In early 1949 Art, Nancy, and their baby moved back to Holland, purchased their first home, and prepared for the birth of their second child. One week after the child's birth Art was killed in an auto accident on icy roads in the town of West Seneca, N.Y. Thus ended what seemed to be a promising life. His wake and funeral, like his marriage, was held at the Pratt residence, in Holland, New York. Burial on November 8, 1949, was in the Holland Protestant Cemetery.
Art, as he was called by everyone, was born Arthur James Nye and was a "county boy" before the age of 4. He was fostered and then adopted in January, 1928, by John & Jennie (Dustin) Grafly. He was raised in both Holland & Sardinia, N.Y.
Art married Nancy Pratt on April 4, 1947, in Holland, N.Y. at the home of her mother. They initially settled in Holland, had their first child, and moved to Cleveland as part of his employment with M & G Convoy, Inc. As a dispatcher he was responsible for the movement of trucks carrying new cars for delivery from Ohio across to the Northeastern seaboard.
In Cleveland, they were fortunate to have another Holland couple as neighbors. It was the magical 1948 Indians baseball season, culminating in a World Series win, and they enjoyed attending many games at Municipal Stadium with their fellow Hollanders. Nancy kept a few programs, and when found after her death years later, Bob Feller autographed both during a book signing event. His only two grandsons now own these treasures of baseball & family history.
In early 1949 Art, Nancy, and their baby moved back to Holland, purchased their first home, and prepared for the birth of their second child. One week after the child's birth Art was killed in an auto accident on icy roads in the town of West Seneca, N.Y. Thus ended what seemed to be a promising life. His wake and funeral, like his marriage, was held at the Pratt residence, in Holland, New York. Burial on November 8, 1949, was in the Holland Protestant Cemetery.
