Cause of death determined for Grafton Weiss

An Orange County Coroner spokesperson said Tuesday that Katella water polo coach Grafton Weiss, 49, died from hypertensive and arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Arteriosclerosis is characterized by hardening of the arterial walls and is known to cause fatal heart attacks.

A memorial service Weiss will be held Saturday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Cypress at 10 a.m. The church is located at 4321 Cerritos Ave. The viewing is Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the church.

Katella’s Web sitehas information about a scholarship fund that will be established in memory of Weiss. For more information, go to the Web site.

The veteran coach died Saturday, one week after guiding Katella to the CIF-SS Division VII title. Katella also became the first the Anaheim Union High School District team to capture a CIF water polo title.

Weiss also will be honored at the Orange County all-star boys water polo game Sunday at Katella at 1 p.m. Weiss and Katella had earlier been selected to play host to the annual all-star match.

Katella co-coach Dave Mikesell and Servite's Mustafa Hassan will coach the North. Corona del Mar's Barry O'Dea will guide the South.

(Editor's note:Here is a link to the original story about Weiss' death. As of Tuesday night, there were 67 comments made on the story, most of them tributes to the former coach and teacher at Katella. If you would like to see those comments, or would like to leave a comment, click here.)

Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com