Alan John Alexander Grace

Alan John Alexander Grace, age 66, died at Forsyth Medical Center in Gainesville, GA on Wednesday April 13, 2011 at 12:30pm.

Alan Grace was born March 4, 1945 in Dorset, England to parents John and Violet Grace. He married Wife Maureen Barton Grace in 1969, and they were together for 42 years. In 1970, Alan and Maureen started Grace Bindings, where they have worked together since. Alans book binding artistry was internationally known and respected. Alan and Maureen Grace came to the United States in 1985.

Alan Grace was a kind and loving soul and will be truly missed by all those close to him. He was called the Gentle Giant by his friends and known lovingly to his grandchildren as Papa Alan. He will be remembered for his wit, sense of humor, loving nature and his many interests. Alan loved his work (bookbinding), cooking, traveling, photography and relaxing with movies and watching River Cottage and English TV Shows.

He is survived by his wife Maureen, his son Martyn and daughter-in-law Pam; his son Russell; his grandchildren: Amber, Ashley, Anna, Jamie and Clara; and his sisters: Jean Waite, Violet Allen and Pat Farnfield.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at Byars Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday April 19th, 2011 at 10:30AM. Another service will be held later in the spring at The Isle of Wight, England.

Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 155 Professional Park Drive, Cumming, Georgia. (678) 455-5815.