Comments on: Update: Katella water polo coach Grafton Weiss, 49, dies

By: Andy Ramos

Andy Ramos — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:44:01 +0000

Not long ago did i speak to coach wisse, who no longer was my coach. Though his obligations to mentor us ended after practice, the love he held for his students and players went beyond his obligations. My memories consist of the help – out of the pool deck that he gave me, whether is was over science or life in general. A great coach, a great man. He was a role model, a man who lived life to the fullest. I’ll miss him, my prayers go to his family.

By: Unknown

Unknown — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 07:36:21 +0000

When tomorrow starts without me, and I’m not here to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry the way you did today,
While thinking of the many things we didn’t get to say
I know how much you love me; as much as I love you;
And each time you think of me, I know you’ll miss me too.
But when tomorrow starts without me, please try and understand,
that an angel came and called my name, and took me by the hand;
He said my place was ready in Heaven far above,
And that I’d have to leave behind all those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye,
For all my life, I’d always thought, I didn’t want to die.
I had so much to live for, so much yet to do.
It seemed impossible, that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad.
I thought of all the love we shared, and all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday, just even for awhile,
I’d say goodbye and kiss you, and maybe see you smile.
But I fully realized that this could never be;
For loneliness and memories would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things, I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through Heaven’s gates, I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me, from His great golden throne,
He said: “This is eternity, and all I’ve promised you.
Today your life on earth is past, but here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last.
And since each day’s the same, there’s no longing for the past.
Well done, good and faithful servant, for now you are free
So won’t you take my hand and share this life with me?”
So when tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart.
For every time you think of me, I’m right here, in your heart.

By: Connie & Tom Giddens

Connie & Tom Giddens — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:41:00 +0000

On Losing Grafton….

We all lost someone on November 29, 2008. We lost a Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Uncle, Coach, Teacher, Co-worker, Friend, Church Member. So many more relationships than I can think of. WE ALL lost something very precious to us that day: Grafton B. Weiss.

To you students at Katella. I ache for you. As Mindy (Mrs. Weiss) recently said, none of you should have to lose a teacher and coach at your young age. All of your teachers care for you, even if you don’t believe it or realize it. I personally know that Mr. Weiss cared for each and every one of you. He agonized over trying to make sure his students had every possible chance to do well on tests and in class so they could get good grades and eventually graduate. I can remember standing in the parking lot after having lunch at Olive Garden one day last spring and he just couldn’t comprehend why a certain student of his blew away the last chance he had to graduate. We went on vacation with the Weiss’ to San Francisco last May. What was Mr. Weiss doing while waiting for the plane to depart? Listening to music? Watching a movie? People watching? No, he was preparing a test on his laptop for the next Monday. Maybe as a high school student that might get lost on you. But he was doing it because he wanted the best for you. He cared for you and your future. ALL of your teachers care for you and want you to do your best. Do your best for Mr. Weiss, won’t you?

And all of you Water Polo Boys. Oh, what a roller coaster week you had. One Saturday you were at the top of the world, winning the CIF championship; the next Saturday, you were milling around the emergency room, trying to comprehend and make sense out of the fact that you just lost one of the most important people in your life. I am so sorry for all of you, but at the same time I am impressed by how all of you have embraced Garrett and Mikael, and Mindy and Kaila. Keep it up. Coach would be proud of you!

For the rest of us, I implore you husbands to love your wife like Grafton loved Mindy. And you wives, love your husband like Mindy loved Grafton. Oh what a relationship you would have! I have personally heard many people say they were secretly envious of Graton and Mindy’s relationship. They were so close. So happy with each other. Soul Mates. Their relationship was what many couples strive for and never attain. Dads, love and listen and be involved with your kids lives at every step of the way the way Grafton was involved with Kaila and Garrett and more recently with Mikael. The world will be a better place if you do. And love the Lord like Grafton did. Because of his belief in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Grafton is now in God’s presence, enjoying the eternal life that the Lord promised to him.

To Mindy, Kaila, Garrett, and Mikael. As you have experienced over the last month, it is hard for people to know what to say to you. But just know that in all of our ignorance of not knowing the right words to say, we love you and want to help you move beyond the how and why and what-ifs that many of us have experienced and into whatever the new normal will be. We’ll cry with you when you need to cry. We will laugh with you when you want to laugh. We won’t forget Grafton and everything he was to us. We will do whatever you need (except trying to fix plumbing problems!) to go down this new path in your life. So hang on…here we go! All our love and prayers, Connie and Tom

By: Friends of Mindy Kaila Garett and now Mikael

Friends of Mindy Kaila Garett and now Mikael — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:22:22 +0000

Our Dittos, Mindy and family, to go along withe the “anonymous” writer who encouraged you with II Corinthians 1:3-4 Our great God has been and WILL continue to comfort you througout your lives. His promise is sure “Lo I am with you always even to the end of the age.” Matt 28:20. Mindy, thank you for ministering to us all in your grief. What a blessing to Grafton you have been , and will continue to be to your kids, to your little charges and to the Holy Cross Family by God’s Grace! “A wife of noble charachter who can find?” Prov 31:10. By God’s grace Grafton found one in you! Kaila, Garrett thanks for supporting your Mom. God be with you. “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths” Prov. 3:6 Mikael you are in our prayers as well!

By: Mindy

Mindy — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 14:18:16 +0000

I would just like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers for me and my family during this tragic time in our lives. Grafton was an amazing man….a wonderful husband, a wonderful father and obviously a wonderful influence in many lives for so many years. As I sit here, I am still feeling numb, feeling sad, feeling lonely, but at the same time feeling so blessed. All of the words of encouragement and stories I read are so comforting and knowing that the grief I feel is being felt by everyone who knew Grafton…helps me realize I am not alone. God has a plan for each and every one of us and although Grafton was only here for a short period of time…..God knew His plan had been fullfilled……Grafton had a beautiful love for me, his wife, a beautiful love for his children, Kaila and Garrett and Mikael, he was a great teacher, an amazing coach, a caring friend to all, and he had a strong faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His time on this earth was way too short but Grafton fullfilled the plan God had for him and Grafton’s legacy will be with us all for the rest of our lives. Don’t forget that God has a plan for you too…..live each day as if it was your last. May the peace of God be with you all!! Please stay in touch……thank you for everthing.
Love, Mindy

By: Clara Sylvia & family

Clara Sylvia & family — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:11:37 +0000

Miss Mindy & family,

Our hearts go out for you and your family at this tragic time. Thank you so… much for all the hard work and love you showed my children as their preschool teacher. Unfortunately I didn’t get to know your husband except for the love and patience that he showed Sierra when she would run up to him and give him a big hug. I am so… sorry for your loss. We will continue to pray for you and your family and I’m hoping to see you back at school soon. Gods Blessings to all. Be at peace knowing that Grafton is in the best place with our Lord and Savior.

By: Steven Strum

Steven Strum — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:56:34 +0000

I have known Grafton since High School. We were teammates at Western High School on the water polo and swim teams. Grafton was the glue of a core group of Seniors. He was always fun to talk to and was so good spirited. As a team we went through some good and bad times. But we always had fun together. I came from Texas midway through the 10th grade — Grafton made me feel welcome as a stranger to a new school. In fact, the whole team ended up wearing cowboy hats to all of our games. So many good memories. I will miss him dearly. I send love to all of the Weiss family and pray for God’s comfort to heal our loss
Love Steven Strum

By: Tim Land

Tim Land — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:32:52 +0000

Grafton was one of the most genuine people I have ever met. He was a very special person, and wil be missed by all. My thoughts are with you and your children. Take care.

By: Ryann Higgins

Ryann Higgins — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:30:09 +0000

6:00am work-outs, hell week, praying to the weather Gods for lightning and thunder or hoping the temperature in the pool was below 70 degrees so we could get out of practice. These are just some of the memories I have, not only from swimming and polo, but they are what make up my high school memories. And the man that facilitated these memories was Coach Weiss. He was a huge part of our high school life. He was there at every morning practice making us do jumping jacks, he would be standing by the blocks every afternoon counting our intervals, unless it was raining, and he was hiding in the pool office. He was our biggest fan when we won a race, the shoulder to cry on when we lost, and stood in silent disappointment when he knew we didn’t try our best.
All these things he did, intentionally or unintentionally, made us who we are today. And whenever I think back to my time at Katella, besides the memories of Kaila doing homework on the benches and a 3 year old Garrett standing by the pool yelling “swim misses!!”, I will always remember Coach Weiss and what he meant to me, and to Katella aquatics.
Love you, miss you Coach.

By: Cam Clitheroe

Cam Clitheroe — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:03:42 +0000

I know my wife Cece has commented already, but I had to add my own…

Although it seems like I’ve always known Grafton, I think we became friends in junior high school. He then went off to Western and I went to Magnolia and somehow we both ended up playing water polo. Western and Magnolia became great rivals because of our friendship and our games are some of my best polo memories. Grafton was always a gentleman, even when burning you down the pool! But the best times were just hanging out, playing poker, and growing up with our group of friends. I miss driving around listening to the radio, competing to be the first to say the title of a song (and artist and album of course). Grafton always got “Baby, I’m Amazed” on the first chord. I could never top that. I miss you Grafton.

I’m in Oregon now and have seen Grafton only a handful of times over the last 15 years, but they have been significant. You see, a few years ago I finally become a water polo coach myself in a small town called Hillsboro with four high schools and one pool. The first person I turned to was Grafton for help with workouts, plays, and words of wisdom. I feel honored letting everyone know that his philosophies and teaching extend further than Southern California. I am so thankful I got to talk to Grafton on his birthday about this amazing season. Grafton, you’re my coaching role model and I hope I can make you proud.

Mindy, Cece and I felt so very fortunate to be able to hug you and try to comfort you. Our arms are around you, Kaila, and Garrett always.

Much Love Always – Cam Clitheroe