Bob Graham loved his community. He was a lifelong East Bridgewater, Mass. boy except for his first seven years in Dedham, Mass. Kind of a big deal around town, he could charm you, comfort and quietly help you, outwit you for sure, make you laugh, or sell you a used car before you knew what was coming. In a good way, Bob’s way. He did things on his own terms and in his own time. If you were lucky enough to be family or as close as family gets, he could frustrate you, spoil you, raise your blood pressure, and make you belly laugh, all in the one day.
Bob was bright, ambitious, and his 1958 senior high school profile called out his “winning smile” and “smooth dance moves” and notably mentioned, “Maybe you’ve seen or heard Bob go by sometime in a well-known, two-tone green Mercury hardtop.” He loved cars and grew up in the business learning from the best, his father, Arthur Daniel Graham, who ran AG Auto on Oak Street, and laid the foundation for a successful succession with Bob Graham Auto in the center of town. After more than 30 years at Bob Graham Auto, Bob became a fixture in town with a generous spirit and a following that continues today.
Bob was focused as a young man, and that never changed. He attended the Citadel of Charleston S.C., where he excelled academically and covertly sold snacks after hours in the dorm at a ridiculous profit (always the entrepreneur), earned a business degree and became a U.S. Army officer rising to the rank of first lieutenant after graduation. He served as a pilot in Vietnam on reconnaissance duty. He never lost his love of planes and flying, but he spoke only a little of his service. He was proud of his accomplishments, but even more happy to return home to East Bridgewater and his young family.
Back in East Bridgewater, he lived a few lives over the years. He loved five children, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren along his way, and he was very proud of each of them. Throughout his life he maintained a remarkable sense of humor, and his natural mischievous nature was rekindled when he became a grandfather. Be it bacon and French toast binge-breakfasts, letting barely double-digit grandchildren drive donuts in his field until a wheel fell off, or playing ruthlessly at chess, he was fun. Lovingly known as “Grampa Monster” by his grandchildren and “incorrigible” by his children, he delighted his grandchildren and relished in driving their parents a bit crazy.
Bob also worked hard all his life, built a successful business, and enjoyed summers at his beloved Plymouth, Mass. cottage, purchased with uncanny foresight in 1973 against everyone’s advice. Later he enjoyed an active retirement, spending winters in his second home in Florida. A lifelong mathwiz, keen chess player, and dedicated foodie, he enjoyed being a VIP every Thursday night at Christo’s restaurant, and never missed a good meal or an opportunity for a Kohl’s shopping spree. The man loved a bargain. Although deathly afraid of public speaking as a youngster, he found his voice later in life, volunteering widely and mentoring many people by sharing his hard-earned wisdom from his life experiences in very kind and personal ways.
Bob lived his life his own way. He leaves a legacy of good people and great stories. We will miss his blue eyes and his winning smile, but we will remember him always.
Robert Daniel Graham Sr. was preceded in death by parents Arthur and Anna Graham and his sister Barbara Koslowsky. He is survived by his children Kate O’Malley (Kieran), Robert Graham (Stephanie), Shannon Garafola (Greg), Daniel Graham (Jackie), Paul Kane (Valerie); his grandchildren Siobhan O’Malley, Robert Graham (Rebecca), Lauren O’Malley (John), Vicky Ferraro (Dylan), Marcus Ferraro, Benjamin Graham, Julie Bosworth (Patrick), Ryan Kane (Rachel), as well has his great-grandchildren Kolton, Dinero, and Robert.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations payable to the East Bridgewater Municipal Veterans Assistance Fund in Bob Graham’s honor, c/o the Veterans Services Office, East Bridgewater Town Hall, contact: Chris Buckley, VSO, 508-378-1603, [email protected].