Ill∴ Gary Nicholas “Nick” Graff MSA, 33°, was born in Bloomington IL, on November 14, 1954, the son of the Marjorie A. (Miller) and Brother H. Gene Graff, 32°.
He grew up on the family grain and livestock farm in rural Minier IL. He graduated from Stanford Minier High School in 1972. After graduation he attended Illinois Central College graduating with an Associate’s Degree in Police Science.
Ill. Brother Graff married Marla M. Arnett of Morton. They have four adult children and, to date, four grandchildren, all residing in Morton, IL.
Following college, Brother Graff was hired as a deputy sheriff for the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Department. While employed as a deputy sheriff he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Justice and Master’s Degree in Public Administration both from the University of Illinois at Springfield.
In 1988 Brother Graff was hired as the Chief of Police in Morton, IL serving in that capacity until his retirement in 2011. During his tenure as Police Chief, he was appointed by the Governor of the State of Illinois to the Illinois Law Enforcement Officers Training and Standards Board.
In 2011, Brother Graff was hired as a Professor of Criminal Justice at Illinois Central College in East Peoria, IL. He continues in that position today, teaching courses he was once enrolled in as a college student.
Brother Graff began his Masonic career in Morton Lodge #352 in Morton, IL being raised on July 18, 1987. He was elected Master in May 1991 and continued to serve his lodge as Secretary from 1993-2008 and Treasurer from 2012 to present. He also served as the Charter Junior Warden for Cathedral Lodge #1179, serving as Master in 2015.
In October 2012, Ill. Brother Terry L. Seward 33⁰, the Most Worshipful Grand Master, appointed Brother Graff as Assistant Area Deputy Grand Master for the Eastern Area of Illinois, a position that he still holds today.
He is a member of Pekin Chapter No. 25 RAM, Pekin, IL; Peoria Council No. 11, Peoria, IL; and Blaney Commandery #5 Tremont, IL. He served as Commander in 2005, Recorder 2006-2012 and Treasurer 2013 to present. In 2015, Brother Graff was named Knight Commander of the Temple by the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar.
He is a member of the Mohammed Shriners in Peoria, IL. and has served on the degree team. He holds membership in Central Illinois York Rite College No. 42. He is a member and Past Sovereign of St Helena Conclave, Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine. Brother Graff is a grade IX⁰ member of Illinois College, Societas Rosicruciana in Civitabus Foederatis and is presently serving as the Secretary/Treasurer. He is also a member of Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests and Mystic Tie #245 Order of the Eastern Star Tremont, IL.
In 2017, Brother Graff was made an honorary member of the DeMolay Legion of Honor.
Ill∴ Brother Graff joined the Scottish Rite Valley of Peoria, on May 7, 1988 serving in many capacities during his tenure. He is a Past Sovereign Prince and a Past Most Wise Master. Additional duties for the Scottish Rite include director of the 15th, 16th, 18th and 32nd degrees as well as the Feast of the Paschal Lamb. In 2004 he was nominated for the Meritorious Service Award from the Illinois Council of Deliberation.
In 2008 he was appointed as a Deputy’s Representative by Ill. Brother Lee B. Lockwood 33⁰, Deputy for the State of Illinois. Brother Graff served in that capacity until his election as an Active member. He is also a plural member of the Valley of Chicago.
Ill∴ Brother Graff was created a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33° honorary member of the Supreme Council in Chicago, IL. August 29, 2006. He was elected to the Supreme Council as an Active member in Lexington MA. on August 24, 2018.