Frank Xavier Graves Jr. (November 4, 1923 – March 4, 1990) was an American Democratic Party politician who is best known for serving two separate terms as Mayor of Paterson, New Jersey.
[1] He also served on the Paterson City Council, the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders and in the New Jersey Senate in his long career.
[2] Following his graduation from Eastside High School he enrolled at the University of Virginia, but left shortly thereafter to enlist in World War II, serving with the 50th Armored Division.
During his time in office Graves was known as a law-and-order and hands-on mayor who was never afraid to take action when something needed to be done in Paterson or in the state legislature.
Graves was noted for driving through every Paterson neighborhood seven days a week inspecting the areas and calling the proper authorities when he saw something that he determined to be wrong (litter, graffiti, etc.).
(A recent expansion of the law, which was also made a part of 2008 anti-gang legislation, specifies that a three- to five-year sentence is prescribed for these offenses).
The vacant mayoral seat was contested between Girgenti's Assembly colleague Bill Pascrell, City Council President Rev.