Robert B. Graham

Born: 12/13/1924 Died: 6/28/2012 Mr. Robert B. Graham, age 87, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 28, 2012. Born in Mardela Springs, MD, on December 13, 1924, Mr. Graham was the son of the late Benjamin H. Graham and Edna L. Walker Graham. He proudly served in the US Army Air Corps during World War II, later transferring to the US Army and being honorably discharged from duty as a Technician 4th Grade. In civilian life, Mr. Graham continued in the service of his country as a career member of the federal civil service, retiring as the traffic cargo manager of the Dover (DE) Air Force Base. Among his professional affiliations, he was a member of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) #85 in Newark, DE. Following his retirement, he would go on to accept a position as the manager of several local movie theaters. He was a devout Catholic throughout his life and a longtime parishioner of Holy Family R.C. Church in Newark, DE. In his leisure hours, Mr. Graham greatly enjoyed reading, cheering for his favorite baseball teams, the Phillies and the Yankees, and watching movies, especially the classic films in his extensive collection. He is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Esther M. Ford Graham; children, Robert J. Graham of Newark, DE, Constance J. Ryan and husband John of Colora, MD, Nancy L. Bowe and husband Woodford of Rising Sun, MD, and Gary N. Graham and wife Katharine of New Castle, DE; stepmother, Kathryn Haas of Elkton, MD; grandchildren, Matthew A. Ryan, Daniel P. Ryan, Christine L. Boulden, Robert J. Graham, Jr., Woodford A. Bowe III, Timothy S. Bowe, Aimee L. Graham, Megan E. Graham, and Mariah A. Graham; a great grandson and eight great granddaughters. The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the nurses, aides, and staff of Compassionate Care Hospice, especially CNA Jennifer West, for their many kindnesses to Mr. Graham during his illness. A funeral service will be held at 1 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE, where visitation will begin at 12 noon. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Graham may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, 702 B Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19805.