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OBITUARIES
Wednesday, November 7, 2012 2:15 AM EST
Claude L. Graham Jr.
Retired building contractor
WATERBURY ‹ Claude L. Graham Jr., 88, died peacefully among family at his
home on Nov. 5, 2012. He was the loving husband of Claire B. Graham for 64
years and a lifelong resident of Waterbury.
Claude was born on Oct. 9, 1924, son of Claude L. Graham Sr. and Aurelie
(Hitchcock) Graham. He was most proud of his Navy service in World War II on
the USS Lyman.
At the end of the war, he returned home and apprenticed in his father's
construction business, which was thriving in the post-war building boom. As
Claude Graham Sr. downsized his business on his path toward retirement,
Claude Graham Jr. developed his skills and established a building business
of his own. He was known for his quality craftsmanship, integrity and
honesty, the values he learned from his father.
Prior to his retirement, Claude's hobbies were mostly driven by his love of
the sea. He was an avid boater and fisherman and also enjoyed scuba diving.
After retiring his 27-foot fishing boat, the Marauder, he developed an
interest in wine making, gun collecting, furniture building, wood carving,
bread and soup making, and stained glass window creation. He built and flew
model airplanes.
In his last years Claude also enjoyed sneaking treats to his two grand-dogs,
Toni and Noah.
Claude was a member of numerous organizations, including the Bristol Fish
and Game Club, the CT Model Airplane Club, the American Legion, and the VFW.
Besides his wife, Claude is survived by his daughter, Julie Graham Peace and
her husband William of Old Saybrook, and his son Robert Graham and his wife
Donna of Thomaston; his four grandchildren, Christopher Moody and his wife
Jennifer, Jennifer Moody Eigo and her husband Glen, Larissa Graham Leaf and
her husband Robert, Janet Graham; and five great-grandchildren, Mary Jane
Moody, Shaelyn Moody, Xander Eigo, Tyler Eigo and Cole Moody. He is also
survived by his sister Elaine Miller of Essex.
The family would like to thank Dr. Jega, the staff and caregivers of Abbott
Terrace, Claude's personal caregivers, Hillary and Gladys from Golden
Horizons and the VITAS Hospice caregivers.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in Claude's name, to the charity
of your choice.
The funeral will be Saturday, Nov. 10, at 9 a.m. from the Murphy Funeral
Home, 115 Willow St. to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception for a Mass
at 10 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow in Old St. Joseph
Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 4 p.m. until 7
p.m.
Visit www.murphyfuneralhomect.com for more information or to send an online
condolence.