Last of founding board members of EWTN, Richard DeGraff, dies at 94

[Michie]

Richard DeGraff (at left, next to Mother Angelica in early 1981, and at right) played a key role in getting EWTN off the ground. | Credit: Photos courtesy of the DeGraff family

Richard DeGraff, a founding board member at EWTN who was instrumental in helping Mother Angelica launch the network in 1981, passed away on July 31 at age 94. 

DeGraff met Mother Angelica in 1980 while working for the Family Rosary in Wisconsin. It was DeGraff who connected Mother Angelica, at the time seeking funding to purchase EWTN’s first satellite dish, to the De Rance Foundation, a Catholic philanthropic organization that provided crucial early support for the acquisition.

During those critical moments when EWTN was being birthed as well as for decades to come, DeGraff played a key role in getting the first Catholic satellite television network off the ground and keeping it going.


Continued below.

Last of founding board members of EWTN, Richard DeGraff, dies at 94

Richard DeGraff, a founding board member at EWTN who was instrumental in helping Mother Angelica launch the network, passed away July 31 at age 94. 

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[RileyG]

May he rest in the peace of Christ.