David Graiver

David R. Graiver, 60, died peacefully at his mountain top home in South Paris, Maine on March 18, 2008, after a painful and arduous battle with Osteosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer. He was born June 5, 1947, in Boston, Mass., to William and Queenie Graiver and grew up in Sharon, Mass., where he graduated from Sharon High School in 1965. David attended Boston University where he received a teaching degree in 1969. He was awarded conscientious objector's status to the Vietnam War, after which he spent hundreds of hours assisting mentally-challenged patients at Fernald Hospital. After a brief stint teaching 5th grade, he moved to North Norway, Maine and purchased a parcel of land upon which he fulfilled his desire to live the simple life. He proceeded to build a small, Thoreau-like cabin, where his love for the Maine countryside deepened.

In 1976, David Graiver opened Dave's Sauna. For the next 30 years, you would always find David there from 4 p.m. to whenever. The sauna became a social center, where storytelling and drinking beer became the most popular activities. David's charisma and free-wheeling spirit attracted everyone from yahoos to yuppies. Whether shoveling snow in winter or chopping wood in summer, David's uniform of cut-off jeans shorts, Newton South tee shirt and boots were ubiquitous. After each person who finished taking their sauna, he would ask how was it? accompanied by that characteristic smile that is indelibly etched in the minds of David's phalanx of fiercely loyal friends and family.

Dave enjoyed reading westerns, boating in the summer, building homes, taking long walks, sitting by his man made pond with his dogs and being the life of the party. He pushed every limit and acknowledged no boundaries during his 60 years.

David's talents were very diverse. He had the ability to build homes from start to finish, become a quick study at day-trading stocks and the playing strategic games of Chess. Perhaps his greatest skill was fatherhood. He took to that task as easily as he took to splitting a log. Throughout his adult life, David managed not only to be a guide to his children, but to be a best friend. He felt that the true measure of a man was his relationship with his children. From the time his children were born until his last day on earth, David did everything with his children and there could be no deeper, more loving relationship than that which he enjoyed with his three kids.

David's perfect day was to wake up with no agenda and no boss. He would walk his land, deliver no less then two cords of wood, hang out with his kids, cavort with some friends, go to bed and then do it all over the next day. He had unmatched energy and a tireless work ethic. He never spent a day sick in bed until cancer ravaged his once tall, gently imposing, lean muscular frame. Through divorces, audits and visits from the FBI David lived every day like it was his last. He often said Life isn't a dress rehearsal. You only get one crack at this thing, so make the most of it!

David was survived by his three children, Halyne Graiver, William Graiver of South Paris and Loni Graiver of Falmouth; his parents, Queenie and William Graiver of Sharon, Mass.; his sister, Sarah Ahrens of Newton, Mass. and his brother, Steven Graiver of Norway. He was also survived by his devoted partner, Suzanne Lambert; and his loyal dog, Forrest. Suzanne's attentive care and deep love for David helped him sustain the last years of life, which allowed his family to make the most of the time that he had left. He was also survived by his grandchildren, Jackman, William, David and Chelsea. Also vital to his life, especially in the final stages were Denise Burr, Willow Laidlaw and Fred Bergmann. Dave insisted that there be no funeral service. Instead, he requested that friends, family and those who he touched throughout his life attend the 2nd Annual Benefit for Cancer Research Party that held in his honor the following summer. David Graiver, true friend and father, was not one for missing a party, so we know he was there in spirit!