Mark T. Graves

BARRE – Mark Travers Graves, 64, of Cedar Street passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin, with his wife and children by his side.

Born on April 27, 1960, in Red Bank, NJ, he was the son of Cecil A. and Jeraldine M. (Travers) Graves. Mark spent his early years in Red Bank and then grew up in several small towns around Vermont, primarily Ludlow. Mark graduated from Black River High School in Ludlow, class of 1978. In 1980, Mark moved to Concord, NH where he met Sandra Randall. He then settled in Barre, VT in 1984 to pursue his passion for stock car racing at Thunder Road International Speedbowl.

On October 12, 1985, he married Sandra Randall at Thunder Road in Barre. They were the first couple to be married at the track.

Mark was a gifted master mechanic, with a natural born skill, who could fix anything. He was most recently employed by Buzzi’s Garage from 1987 – 2018. His previous employers include Hill-Martin in Barre, VT, Capitol Dodge in Concord, NH, and Jorgensen’s Honda in Rutland, VT.

He was a member of St. Monica’s Catholic Church in Barre.

Mark enjoyed tools, working with his hands, and anything to do with cars - mainly Classic Muscle Cars, and he was a dedicated Ford and Snap-on Tool fan. He was a Stock Car racer in the Flying Tigers Division at Thunder Road and Catamount Speedway at the wheel of “The Godfather” #47 Ford car in the 1980’s and 1990’s.  His ongoing project was to restore his ’69 Ford Mustang Coupe.

Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Sandra Randall Graves of Barre; his son Travers (and Kelsey) Graves also of Barre; his daughters Erin (and Justin) Kelley of Roxbury; and Chelsea (and Matthew) Liese of Barre; his six grandchildren, Quinn, Emmett and Maeve Kelley and James, Oliver and Finn Liese; his sisters Sandee Gendron of Cape Coral, FL; Meg (Paul) Audette of Myrtle Beach, SC; Beth (Mark) Lombard of Ludlow, VT; Amy (Matthew) Poirier of Hooksett, NH; and Jo (Keith) Canney of Milton, VT as well as sixteen nieces and nephews, numerous cousins, and his Aunt, Suzie McBride of Barre.  He also leaves behind many cherished and valued friends and neighbors and a lifetime of treasured memories.

In addition to his parents and grandparents, he was predeceased by his brother John Travers Graves in 2023, and a beloved Uncle, Daniel McBride in 2021.

A Celebration of Mark’s Life will be held on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the Old Labor Hall, 46 Granite St in Barre, VT at 11:00 A.M. Racing attire is encouraged.