Robert N. Graham

Robert N. Graham, 94, formerly of 315 Seaward Avenue, passed away Sunday, June 4, 2017 at Chapel Ridge, where he had been a resident for over two years. 

Born August 28, 1922 in Bradford, he was a son of the late William N. and Marion L. (Kezer) Graham.

On October 21, 1950 in Bradford, he married Mary (Gontero) Graham, who survives. 

A 1940 graduate of Bradford High School, he also attended Bryant and Stratton College in Buffalo, NY. 

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served during World War II and the Korean Conflict, and was honorably discharged from military service. 

He owned & operated, along with his brothers Jack & Malcolm, Graham's Greenhouse and Floral Shop, a business which their grandfather started 125 years ago and is now in its fifth generation, owned and operated by Bill Graham and Candy Tingley.  

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church.  He was an active member for 70 years of #749 Free & Accepted Masons. He was also was a member of the Orak Grotto, Zem Zem Temple and the McKean County Shrine Club.  He took great pride in taking children to Shriner's Hospital in Erie for medical care.  He was also a dedicated volunteer for the Community Blood Bank for many years. 

In addition to his wife of 66 years, he is  survived by two daughters, Sheila Graham (Steve Epstein) of Arlington, VA and Lisa (Chuck) Caples, of Rochester, NY; two grandchildren, Riley Graham Caples of Denver, CO and Tara Marie Caples of Buffalo, NY.  He is also survived by a nephew, several nieces and several great nieces and nephews. 

Friends are invited to attend a Masonic Service at 10:45 AM, Thursday, June 8, 2017 in the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes, Inc, East Main St., immediately followed by a memorial service at 11 AM, with Rev. Seth McClymonds, Pastor of the First United Methodist Church, officiating.  Military honors will be accorded following the service in the funeral home. Private burial will be in Willow Dale Cemetery. 

If desired, memorial contributions can be made to the Chapel Ridge Activities Fund or the First United Methodist Church. 

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com

 

 

HOLLENBECK-CAHILL Funeral Home

33 South Avenue • Bradford, PA 16701

All Condolences -

I was part of Bob’s breakfast group. We met every Thursday morning at 8 AM – and for a number of years we traveled around from restaurant to restaurant (ranging from exclusive to motorcycle dives) trying to find the perfect eating establishment. We never did by the way. Our group was made up of questionable characters – that is, bankers, plumbers, lawyers, psychologists, FAA executives, educators, construction supervisors, factory workers, and business men. Out of the entire group, Bob was probably the most stable and calming. He had a very quiet and dry sense of humor. He’d make a comment and then about 30 seconds later it hit us what he was referring to and we’d all start to laugh. Whenever Bob was unable to show, his absence was noted. Bob and I became friends and we often talked about his lovely wife, Mary, his children, flowers, woodworking, landscaping, his own finiteness and being a Marine. Being a Marine I told him was Special! Being a Marine meant something! Being a Marine purported fairness, commitment, helping the underdog, doing what is right, and being quietly tough – as tough as nails! Bob always minimized his military accomplishments but I could always see in his eyes a tremendous pride! Over the last couple weeks, I visited Bob and Mary at Chapel Hill. I saw him the day before he died and although very sick and moderately confused, he greeted me with a thankful hand shake. He could hardly speak or show a facial expression. At the end and as I was leaving, I reminded him of our upcoming Thursday breakfast – and he said he would try! I also told him never to forget that he was “A Marine” – Bob glanced up at me with a look of dignity, smiled, turned his head away from me and went back to sleep. Bob knew his time was near. Dr. Benjamin Rush (a man that I deeply admired) who served as a physician in the continental army, signed the Declaration of Independence, opposed slavery, fought for women’s rights, felt that insanity was an illness and is considered by many the father of American psychiatry - taught that in human relations it was a good nature that mattered. In this quality, he wrote, “I include candor, gentleness and a disposition to speak with civility and to listen with attention to everybody.” Bob represented in my eyes that decency and respectability. Bob you will be missed. Just because Bob is no longer with us, don’t let his good values go away. Rest in peace Bob and farewell my friend we’ll try to take it from here and thank you for being a friend to all of us. Unlike most, you have left this world with a clear conscience.
— John Addis

I was part of Bob’s breakfast group. We met every Thursday morning at 8 AM – and for a number of years we traveled around from restaurant to restaurant (ranging from exclusive to motorcycle dives) trying to find the perfect eating establishment. We never did by the way. Our group was made up of questionable characters – that is, bankers, plumbers, lawyers, psychologists, FAA executives, educators, construction supervisors, factory workers, and business men. Out of the entire group, Bob was probably the most stable and calming. He had a very quiet and dry sense of humor. He’d make a comment and then about 30 seconds later it hit us what he was referring to and we’d all start to laugh. Whenever Bob was unable to show, his absence was noted. Bob and I became friends and we often talked about his lovely wife, Mary, his children, flowers, woodworking, landscaping, his own finiteness and being a Marine. Being a Marine I told him was Special! Being a Marine meant something! Being a Marine purported fairness, commitment, helping the underdog, doing what is right, and being quietly tough – as tough as nails! Bob always minimized his military accomplishments but I could always see in his eyes a tremendous pride! Over the last couple weeks, I visited Bob and Mary at Chapel Hill. I saw him the day before he died and although very sick and moderately confused, he greeted me with a thankful hand shake. He could hardly speak or show a facial expression. At the end and as I was leaving, I reminded him of our upcoming Thursday breakfast – and he said he would try! I also told him never to forget that he was “A Marine” – Bob glanced up at me with a look of dignity, smiled, turned his head away from me and went back to sleep. Bob knew his time was near. Dr. Benjamin Rush (a man that I deeply admired) who served as a physician in the continental army, signed the Declaration of Independence, opposed slavery, fought for women’s rights, felt that insanity was an illness and is considered by many the father of American psychiatry - taught that in human relations it was a good nature that mattered. In this quality, he wrote, “I include candor, gentleness and a disposition to speak with civility and to listen with attention to everybody.” Bob represented in my eyes that decency and respectability. Bob you will be missed. Just because Bob is no longer with us, don’t let his good values go away. Rest in peace Bob and farewell my friend we’ll try to take it from here and thank you for being a friend to all of us. Unlike most, you have left this world with a clear conscience.
— John Addis

So sorry to hear of Bob''s passing. When I worked at Chapel Ridge, he and Mary were two of my favorite residents. Very wonderful people, will be sadly missed. Condolences to the family.
— Linda Ingram

Boo was like a dad to me! HE taught me how to fish in Canada and how to waterski at WillowBay. Being best friends with Lisa growing up allowed me to spend alot of quality time with this loving wonderful family. My heart is heavy and I truly will miss him. Loving memories of a great man, Sherry Benson-Weed
— Sherry Weed

We have all lost a wonderful man who knew and embraced the real essence of life! He touched so many lives and never waivered in his love and devotion to his wife, family and friends. I know I was truly blessed to be his niece!
— Denise Lawrence

Our E H. Klleiderlein family would go on a fishing trip to Canada in the summer when I was young Bob and Mary Graham were also there Bob and Mary were such good friends and remain so. We saw them when we visited last month. Sorry for their loss. Bless the family.
— Joanie Kleiderlein O''Neil and Bryan Paul

Condolences

  • I was part of Bob’s breakfast group. We met every Thursday morning at 8 AM – and for a number of years we traveled around from restaurant to restaurant (ranging from exclusive to motorcycle dives) trying to find the perfect eating establishment. We never did by the way. Our group was made up of questionable characters – that is, bankers, plumbers, lawyers, psychologists, FAA executives, educators, construction supervisors, factory workers, and business men. Out of the entire group, Bob was probably the most stable and calming. He had a very quiet and dry sense of humor. He’d make a comment and then about 30 seconds later it hit us what he was referring to and we’d all start to laugh. Whenever Bob was unable to show, his absence was noted. Bob and I became friends and we often talked about his lovely wife, Mary, his children, flowers, woodworking, landscaping, his own finiteness and being a Marine. Being a Marine I told him was Special! Being a Marine meant something! Being a Marine purported fairness, commitment, helping the underdog, doing what is right, and being quietly tough – as tough as nails! Bob always minimized his military accomplishments but I could always see in his eyes a tremendous pride! Over the last couple weeks, I visited Bob and Mary at Chapel Hill. I saw him the day before he died and although very sick and moderately confused, he greeted me with a thankful hand shake. He could hardly speak or show a facial expression. At the end and as I was leaving, I reminded him of our upcoming Thursday breakfast – and he said he would try! I also told him never to forget that he was “A Marine” – Bob glanced up at me with a look of dignity, smiled, turned his head away from me and went back to sleep. Bob knew his time was near. Dr. Benjamin Rush (a man that I deeply admired) who served as a physician in the continental army, signed the Declaration of Independence, opposed slavery, fought for women’s rights, felt that insanity was an illness and is considered by many the father of American psychiatry - taught that in human relations it was a good nature that mattered. In this quality, he wrote, “I include candor, gentleness and a disposition to speak with civility and to listen with attention to everybody.” Bob represented in my eyes that decency and respectability. Bob you will be missed. Just because Bob is no longer with us, don’t let his good values go away. Rest in peace Bob and farewell my friend we’ll try to take it from here and thank you for being a friend to all of us. Unlike most, you have left this world with a clear conscience.

    — John Addis
  • I was part of Bob’s breakfast group. We met every Thursday morning at 8 AM – and for a number of years we traveled around from restaurant to restaurant (ranging from exclusive to motorcycle dives) trying to find the perfect eating establishment. We never did by the way. Our group was made up of questionable characters – that is, bankers, plumbers, lawyers, psychologists, FAA executives, educators, construction supervisors, factory workers, and business men. Out of the entire group, Bob was probably the most stable and calming. He had a very quiet and dry sense of humor. He’d make a comment and then about 30 seconds later it hit us what he was referring to and we’d all start to laugh. Whenever Bob was unable to show, his absence was noted. Bob and I became friends and we often talked about his lovely wife, Mary, his children, flowers, woodworking, landscaping, his own finiteness and being a Marine. Being a Marine I told him was Special! Being a Marine meant something! Being a Marine purported fairness, commitment, helping the underdog, doing what is right, and being quietly tough – as tough as nails! Bob always minimized his military accomplishments but I could always see in his eyes a tremendous pride! Over the last couple weeks, I visited Bob and Mary at Chapel Hill. I saw him the day before he died and although very sick and moderately confused, he greeted me with a thankful hand shake. He could hardly speak or show a facial expression. At the end and as I was leaving, I reminded him of our upcoming Thursday breakfast – and he said he would try! I also told him never to forget that he was “A Marine” – Bob glanced up at me with a look of dignity, smiled, turned his head away from me and went back to sleep. Bob knew his time was near. Dr. Benjamin Rush (a man that I deeply admired) who served as a physician in the continental army, signed the Declaration of Independence, opposed slavery, fought for women’s rights, felt that insanity was an illness and is considered by many the father of American psychiatry - taught that in human relations it was a good nature that mattered. In this quality, he wrote, “I include candor, gentleness and a disposition to speak with civility and to listen with attention to everybody.” Bob represented in my eyes that decency and respectability. Bob you will be missed. Just because Bob is no longer with us, don’t let his good values go away. Rest in peace Bob and farewell my friend we’ll try to take it from here and thank you for being a friend to all of us. Unlike most, you have left this world with a clear conscience.

    — John Addis
  • So sorry to hear of Bob''s passing. When I worked at Chapel Ridge, he and Mary were two of my favorite residents. Very wonderful people, will be sadly missed. Condolences to the family.

    — Linda Ingram
  • Boo was like a dad to me! HE taught me how to fish in Canada and how to waterski at WillowBay. Being best friends with Lisa growing up allowed me to spend alot of quality time with this loving wonderful family. My heart is heavy and I truly will miss him. Loving memories of a great man, Sherry Benson-Weed

    — Sherry Weed
  • We have all lost a wonderful man who knew and embraced the real essence of life! He touched so many lives and never waivered in his love and devotion to his wife, family and friends. I know I was truly blessed to be his niece!

    — Denise Lawrence