Posted on 04/23/2018
William S. Graham, of Bloomfield, beloved husband of Regina C. Graham for 68 years, died peacefully on April 6, 2018 at the age of 94. Born in Greenwich, on May 8, 1923, he was one of five children of James P. Graham, Jr. and Agnes Gillen Graham. After attending Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Severn School in Maryland, Bill won a competitive SecNav appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. He graduated June 6, in 1945, Class of '46. At Navy, Bill lettered in lacrosse and soccer, played on 3 intercollegiate championship teams, and was named All-American in lacrosse. He served in the Pacific during WWII, with several tours in China. Bill met the love of his life, Regina T. Coady, in April 1949. They married in April 1950 and lived in Baltimore where they started their family. Bill worked for Aetna Life & Casualty Co., moving to the home office in Hartford, in 1956, earning his CLU degree that year. He and Jean settled in Bloomfield, where they raised their family and attended Sacred Heart Church. Bill was active in local politics and enjoyed his major avocation, the fire service. He was a volunteer firefighter for 14 years, and then served as a CT Fire Marshall in Bloomfield and East Granby for a total of 34 years. Bill heroically drove his family of six children and a dog on epic trips to Ocean City, MD each summer, creating indelible happy memories. Bill and Jean moved to West Hartford in 1976 where Bill was active at St. Peter Claver Church, teaching catechism classes, joyfully singing in the choir and planning events at Holy Family Retreat Center with the men's retreat league. Bill retired from Aetna in 1988 as Director of Financial Services in the Life Division. Bill mentored many at Aetna, passionate and committed to the development of those with whom he worked. Bill's faith and family were the focus of his life. He was a devoted husband to Jean, with whom he enjoyed a life of love, laughter and dancing. He was an exceptional, loving father to his six children. He cherished his 15 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Bill was a devout Catholic, whose deep faith was evident and reflected in everything he did, especially in his love and commitment to his family. Bill and Jean enjoyed their retirement years immensely, spending summers in Martha's Vineyard and traveling around the world. They most especially enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Illinois and Missouri to visit their children and grandchildren. In 2010, he and Jean moved to Duncaster Retirement Community where he enjoyed seeing friends, new and old. An avid reader and lover of history, Bill was part of the Hartford Civil War Round Table, and relished leading a discussion group on "the universe" with friends at Duncaster. Bill will be missed deeply by his family and friends. In addition to his wife Jean, Bill is survived by his brother Robert Graham of AZ, and his six children, William S. Graham Jr. (Jessica) of Springfield, MO; Patricia Heath (Raymond) of Avon; Suzanne Akim (Joseph) of Mililani, HI; Barbara Graham of Weymouth, MA; Jonathan Graham of Chicago, IL, Kathryn Mund (Christopher) of Manchester. He leaves 15 grandchildren: Emily Paula (Andres), Sarah Thompson (Kris), Kate Heath; Maureen, Kathleen and Shannon Graham; Meghan and William Akim; Caroline, Austin and Dylan Graham; Wyatt, Clara, Laura and Eleanor Mund; and great-grandchildren Francesca, Sophia, Leo, Shaelan and Drew. He also leaves many beloved nieces and nephews. Bill was predeceased by his sister Virginia and brothers Jim and Jack. Receiving hours: 5:00 – 8:00 pm on Thursday, April 26th at Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave. West Hartford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Friday, April 27th at St. Peter Claver Church 47 Pleasant St. West Hartford. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. Directions and online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com
Published in The Hartford Courant on Apr. 22, 2018