Memories of Michael Graham Grace

In memory of

Michael Graham Grace

Afton, VA

March 7, 1956 - November 7, 2018

Mar 7, 1956 - Nov 7, 2018

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Chris Grace

McLean, VA, USA circa 1972

Regina Anderson, Mike Grace, and Marty Parks

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Chris Grace

2010, Warrenton, Virginia, USA

Photo from Tania -- Mike always loved kittens

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Sharon Kusterer

I met Michael in a drama class when we were both 21 years old. One of the things I noticed right away was how passionate he was about his hobbies. He was hands-on in everything he did. He worked on his Austin Healys, and bred love birds and parrots. Later when he married and lived on his dream farm, he seemed the happiest I had ever seen him. Animals were always a big part of his life and he loved and took pride in his llamas and other farm animals. In his final years, he developed an interest in figs and when my family visited him, he was most proud to have us sample the various types he had grown.. Michael had such a passion for life and sharing his knowledge with others . He will always hold a special place in my heart.

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In response to "How did you first meet Michael?"

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Sharon Kusterer

Shared a heart

Byron Wiley

I recently found out about Michael’s passing. Michael and I met through the fig grower’s community because of our interest in the historical figs of Monticello. We soon discovered that we had many other intersecting interests and passions that included photography, adventure, sustainable farming, permaculture topics, etc. I deeply appreciated his intelligence, analytical abilities and his many interesting passions.

We were both passionate about our individual ideas for developing a small sustainable farm. He introduced me to the principles of aquaponics, a topic that I still think about. Even more recently, he was still talking about his ideal farm setup. The discussions were stimulating for both of us. I’m also hopeful that I can make a dent modeling a small but more sustainable farm someday.

Sadly, correspondence became more infrequent recently. However, when I was visiting family in western Panama this past summer, I sent him some photos and a few stories. I was pleasantly surprised when I received a very long note back from him. The photos had stirred up some very good memories from experiences in western Panama and Costa Rica. I was amused when he warned me about the Eyelash Viper that can live around the coffee plants.

It has been an interesting process thinking about what has transpired between us these past years. We did trade some fig plants and am very appreciative of what I ended up with. (What happened to his fine collection of plants???) He also gave me a very interesting Asian tropical pitcher plant (insect eating plant, Nepenthes sp.) that was growing in the home in Warrenton. It is still thriving. I will always be reminded of his generosity when I think about the plants that he shared.

He was an important contributing member of the fig growers discussion forums. He offered helpful advice, especially to new people. He also sold and traded plants. I also looked at one of his old Craigslist advertisement for his fig growing enterprise the other day. That was another reminder of his passion for the figs. One of his proud fig related moments was when he sold some of his fruit to a gourmet restaurant that I think was in Washington D.C. He learned that some of his figs were prepared for the queen of Spain during her visit.

I notified our fig community of his passing the other day. Here is a link to the comments from many of the people who had interactions with him. https://www.ourfigs.com/forum… You can also view his profile photo via this link https://www.ourfigs.com/membe…

He will certainly be missed. Adios amigo

Byron Wiley - Lawrence, KS

P.S. I quickly went through some old correspondence and plucked out a few statements he made. His creative passions were never ending.

"I have a very elaborate plan/dream of a house designed to grow all the food needed to survive. An enclosed "bubble" not even relying on outside air. But that's a different conversation."

"Anyway -- the point is I've had big farm projects as a one man show before and would much rather have a community of interconnected partners…"

"...My desire's even harder as I want to be in an area like SW Va where there is very low population density and very high forest land. It's colder than I want and the markets are smaller then ideal. At the present. It may not even be a reasonable dream without incorporating fish farming into the mix -- or something else that's working there."

"….Wow -- got me started. I get pretty excited about farming. Well new kinds of farming anyway. And space age farming can certainly still incorporate horses. My last next door neighbor had a kid who had a pair of Shires he harvested timber with. Magnificent animals."

“...My issue is I want a working farm not just a hobby farm. I want to be way the hell down a gravel road on the mountainside surrounded by my land that's surrounded by national forest. I want to be as off the grid and as sustainable as possible for a company capable of operating in a manner that can make a difference locally anyway. If it were all my decision I'd even have a no motors allowed Sunday. Only the sounds of critters and the wind. A day where everyone takes the time to reconnect and mellow out. Our lives are way too damn loud! I miss the farms I've lived on quite a bit. All three were very private and secluded."

"….Ahh, I need to do the same thing. I have so much info stored in so many places for so many projects that were there 3 more of me I'd still not get done by my death. I am a constant gleamer of facts and tools and things like where to buy old cut nails and where to get a map of wind speed on a hill on a buddy's farm and stuff like how to get water out of a deep well if electricity goes out or how much water does a sheep drink in a day. It's endless -- I need to know everything and I store it for some idiotic reason."

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Gloria Smith

1975, Armonk, NY, USA

Don't remember the year exactly. So sorry to hear about Michael's passing. Although I didn't keep track of Michael through the years, I knew Michael while he was at the Academy for Dramatic Arts in NYC. He came to my family's house in Armonk one night when we were having a party. Well, to make a long story short, he and I ended up fencing in the living room in our 1812 farmhouse in front of the fireplace, to which everynoe else was aghast. It was great fun. He was so full of life and unexpected gusto and was in the middle of studying for a role at the academy. Which, of course, made him so special. He was so excited about that period in his life. From the other readings I am seeing here, it is a great loss.

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Hubert Kleinpeter

Mike was a good friend of Marty Parks, my cousin. While visiting Marty, I met Mike when I was seventeen. He was always very good to me. I last saw him when Marty, Mike and I went to visit Antietam National Battlefield; there he and I hiked the park and he told me he wanted to be an actor. He was an authentic person. That was the last time I ever saw Mike. But I remember him well; a kind young man. I wish I had known him better. Sincerely, Chip.

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Christopher Grace

Marshall, VA, USA

Late 1990s at ranch... with goats and Sharon's son Kevin (photo from Sharon Kusterer)

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Christopher Grace

McLean, VA, USA

This Bentley was never road legal; it sat in our driveway for years (photo from Cindy Grace).

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Christopher Grace

1973, Langley High School, Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA, USA

Junior picture (photo from Steve Phillips)

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Nancy Richards

To all the dear family and friends of Michael, I never had the pleasure of meeting Michael, but that did not stop me from praying many heartfelt prayers for him, so I felt as though I actually knew him, and I am sorry, so sorry, to learn of his passing. I travelled for a year with his brother Ben and his sister in law Rita, share a sweet friendship with them, and have been very glad to meet some of the other Grace family. Please know you are thought of and prayed for. I have lost both of my brothers and there is a place of love and care for them both that never leaves. I suppose it is the same for others. May you draw near to the Lord in His comforting loving Presence! Sincerely, Nancy Richards

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martin parks

Mike will forever be in my mind and Heart he was a Good Friend who taught me about life in our young age. Always a True person to himself and others. One of the few who bothered to stay in touch through out the years. I could write a Book on our adventures maybe i will He gave me a lot i just hope i gave it back. Bon Voyage my Friend see you soon.

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