Joseph W. Graham, died April 26, 2002, at the age of 80 at his home in Anchorage, AK. Mr. Graham was born on April 6, 1922 in Chicago to Joseph W. Graham and Eleanor D. Graham. Mr. Graham was the grandson of two prominent Chicago businessmen, banker Andrew J. Graham and building contractor Joseph J. Duffy. Mr. Graham grew up in Glencoe and Evanston. He graduated from St. George Catholic High School and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Kings Point Academy in 1945. Mr. Graham was a veteran who was an officer in the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II. Mr. Graham arrived in his beloved Alaska in 1954 where he began his career as a real estate broker and met his wife Sophia. They were married in Dublin, Ireland in 1974. Mr. Graham was active in Anchorage politics, he served on the Anchorage Assembly in the 1970’s and on the Parish Council for Holy Family Catholic Church. Mr. Graham’s hobbies included traveling, collecting stamps, coins and books. A gentle man with a quiet strength, he had the patience of a saint. He was devoted to his family and his generosity was unequaled. Mr. Graham is survived by his wife, Sophia Graham; daughter, Ilene Stackhouse; son-in-law, Wayne Stackhouse; grandsons, Steven and Christopher Todd; granddaughter, Jennifer Bakken and her husband, Mark Bakken of Anchorage, AK. He is also survived by his brother, Thomas R. Graham of Evanston/Chicago; niece, Andrea Graham-Nieds, her husband, Mark A. Nieds, and children, Benjamin W. Nieds and Lucy M. Nieds of Chicago; and niece, Carrie A. Graham of Berkeley, CA.
