Captain John Graziano '08 died on November 13, 2018 at the age of 28 during an aircraft accident at Laughlin AFB,  Texas. John was a T-38C Talon instructor with over 1300 hours in the cockpit, who had a passion for flight and a dream to be an Air Force fighter pilot since the age of two. He never wavered from that goal, always doing what was necessary, committed to putting in the work required to realize his lifelong dream and goal. Becoming an Air Force pilot and officer was John’s calling in life. When John passed away he was, in fact, as they say “Living his dream.” 

A memorial fund has been established in John's memory to provide scholarship assistance to future Spalding students.