Philip Edward McGraw ... owned Gonic bar; at 73

GONIC - Philip Edward McGraw-beloved brother, husband, father, grandfather, U.S. Navy veteran, globe-trotting salesman, bar owner, and friend-passed away on December 14, 2025 at the age of 73. Born March 9, 1952 in Michigan, Phil grew up in a tough Detroit suburb. Life threw punches early and often, but Phil squared up, gritted his teeth, and prided himself on being tougher than the circumstances trying to break him.

The Navy became both a crucible and classroom. He served during the Vietnam era. It was through one of his Navy brothers that he met the love of his life, Christine Connelly, in Hawaii in 1971. Together they built a beautiful life filled with love, adventure, and family.

After the service Phil found another passion in college while studying chemistry. With his Bachelor's degree, he built a career in the lab as a Synthetic Chemist and then hit the road as a salesman specializing in advanced organometallic compounds, racking up miles and memories across the country, and all over the world.

Wherever Phil landed, he found and made friends. Easily, he started a conversation with whoever happened to be seated next to him. Often they would continue their conversation at the local establishment engaging in great stories and outrageous tales about life. Later Phil flipped the script and owned his own bar in Gonic, New Hampshire, pouring drinks and dropping punchlines.

Phil was always unapologetically himself. He lived life his way while always thinking of future generations. He invested in his family and even wrote a book in the hopes that his experiences would help those that came after him.

Phil is predeceased by his parents, Alma and Phillip McGraw, his brothers Michael McGraw and John McGraw and in-laws; Patricia McGraw, Louis Gregoire, Lorna Connelly, Cynthia Quimby, Patricia Grassie, Gerald Grassie, and John Connelly. He is survived by his wife, Christine McGraw, his son Adam McGraw and daughter-in-law Rebecca McGraw and daughter Jennifer Santana and son-in-law Stuart Santana. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Lyssa McGraw; Stuart, Vera, Ronan and Zoe Santana; his siblings Anthony McGraw, Raymond McGraw, Rose Schlott, and Martin McGraw and in-laws Diane McGraw, Steve Schlott, Amy McGraw, Carolyn Gregoire, Daniel Connelly, Fred Quimby, Teresa Connelly, and Chris Connelly. In addition, there are many surviving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.