Douglas Radford Graham Jr. died on February 15, 2018. He was 86.
Born in Mount Vernon, he was the oldest of three children. His family had a summer cottage in Mastic Beach, and the three children spent summers together on Long Island with their mother; their father would join them on the weekends. He grew up enjoying the water, boating, and swimming.
Mr. Graham graduated from New York State Maritime College, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in marine engineering. He furthered his education by studying and graduating from Stevens Institute of Technology and earning a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering. He was a member of the Society of Port Engineers of New York.
He served in the United States Navy during the Korean War and brought home many stories about his experiences at sea. When he retired, he was assistant vice-president of Maritime Overseas Corporation.
In May 1969, he and Frances Howe of Halifax, Nova Scotia, married in Halifax. The couple had two daughters, Madeline and Emily.
Having a love for his community, Mr. Graham served in various capacities in the Remsenburg and Westhampton Beach area. He was past commodore of the Westhampton Yacht Squadron, on the board of the Speonk-Remsenburg Civic Association, and was also active in St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Westhampton Beach.
He was predeceased by his parents; a sister, Janice; and a brother, Ken. He is survived by his wife, Frances; two daughters, Madeline, Emily Towle and husband Christopher; a grandson Nicholas Towle; a nephew, James Lansing of Mount Vernon; nieces, Cyndee Solomon and Nancy Sery, both of New Jesey, Janice Brecht of Massachusetts and Jennifer Lansing of California.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Werner-Rothwell Funeral Home in Westhampton Beach.