Derek W. Graffis, 21, of Hanover Township and formerly of Washington, NJ, peacefully passed into the loving arms of his Savior on Friday, December 17, 2010 at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, after his courageous battle against leukemia. Born in St. Charles, IL, he was a son of Dale and Michele (Long) Graffis of Hanover Township. Derek was a fun-loving and inspirational young man, which became even more evident in his long fight against the cancer which tried to overtake him. A 2008 graduate of Liberty High School, he was always active behind the scenes, setting up A/V systems and working on stage sets for numerous events, graduating with the most community service hours in his senior class. Despite his ongoing cancer treatments, he courageously attended Millersville University with the intention of becoming a Technology Education teacher. His greatest joy was from serving others, allowing their smiles to be his only payment. Derek was a member of the Hanover Township Volunteer Fire Company #1, and of the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, where he was an active member in the high school programs. He viewed his cancer like rust on an old car, which a talented restorer would carefully remove and rebuild. He hoped that his cancer treatments would give him new life as the old rust was killed off, and a new body emerged, cancer and rust free. He was thankful for every day, and looked forward to being ready to roar, and becoming stronger than before. He was very blessed to have met so many wonderful and talented doctors and nurses in his complicated journey, and loved his incredible fellow-survivors and their families. He will watch over you now that he has his angel wings, and will thoroughly enjoy driving all the angels around in his Mustang. Survivors: Mother and father; brother, Andrew Graffis; his faithful Labrador retrievers, Zoto and Howie; grandparents, Wallace and Mae Long, of Bethlehem; grandmother, Nancy Graffis, of Ionia, MI; Uncle Mike and Aunt Terri, Meghan, Douglas and Tyler; Aunt Gwen and Uncle Jim, Gregory and Krista; Aunt Judy and Uncle Jim, Samuel, Jacob and Maria. He was predeceased by his grandfather, Don Graffis. Services: Celebration Service on Thursday, December 23, at 2:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, 2344 Center St, Bethlehem, 18017, where friends may call from 1 p.m. until the time of the service. Please wear casual clothes, with orange or John Deere green in his honor. Online condolences may be made at www.longfuneralhome.com Contributions: In lieu of flowers to: Angel 34 Foundation, 750 Bushkill Center Road, Nazareth, PA 18064; or to Dream Come True, PO Box 21167, Lehigh Valley, PA 18002.

Originally Published in Morning Call Newspaper: LINK