Aubrey "Pop" Gragan

On August 4, 2023, Joseph Aubrey Gragan, Sr. passed away at home in Bel Alton, Maryland.  Aubrey was born in Budds Creek, MD on November 5, 1936.  He was the 4th of 11 children born to George and Anna Gragan.  Aubrey attended Sacred Heart Bushwood School and then went to high school in Chaptico, MD.  He left school after 10th grade to help on the family farm.

Aubrey worked for the Maryland Forestry Service for several years before starting in the glass business in 1957 in La Plata, MD.  He worked in La Plata for 12 years and then in Alexandria, VA for A & S Glass until 1978.  Aubrey opened his own glass business in a single-car garage in Bel Alton in 1978.  Gragan & Sons Glass expanded to a two bay garage and office.  In March 2002, the business then moved to La Plata where it still resides today.  Aubrey retired from working in glass 2017 after 59 years of service.

Aubrey met Helen Albrittain after moving to Bel Alton.  They were married in 1960 and had four sons, Joseph, Jr., Samuel, Patrick, and John.  Aubrey and Helen had been married for 55 years.

Aubrey was one of Bel Alton Fire Department’s original charter members which began in 1962.  He was the department’s first Fire Captain and was involved with the fire department until the late 80’s.

Aubrey’s first passion was his family. The grandkids and great grandkids all loved spending time with “PopPop”.  He was also an avid hunter, taking hunting trips both in the U.S. and internationally. He also loved gardening and he enjoyed sharing the fruits of his labor with family and neighbors.

Aubrey was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; his parents, George and Anna; brothers, Leonard, Paul and Francis; sisters, Jean, Ann and Diane; and son, Joseph. He is survived by two brothers, Carroll (Sandra) and Daniel and two sisters, Emma (Monroe) and Mary (Alen); three sons, Samuel (Darlene), Patrick (Kristin), and John (Connie); 12 grandchildren, Heather (Richard), Scarlett, Andrew (Alicia), Kelly (Jesse), Kyle (Yexe), Kevin (Casey), Jared, Joshua, Chris, Kelsey, Zach, Kolton, and 10 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Friday August 11, 2023 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM at the St. Ignatius Chapel Point Church (8855 Chapel Point Rd. Port Tobacco, MD 20677).

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM on Saturday August 12, 2023 at the St. Ignatius Chapel Point Church (8855 Chapel Point Rd. Port Tobacco, MD 20677). Interment to follow in the church cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (501 St. Jude Pl. Memphis, TN 38105) or the Alzheimer’s Association (225 N. Michigan Ave. Fl. 17 Chicago, IL 60601).

Online condolences may be shared with the family at arehartechols.com

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