Christopher Graham

June 25, 1983 ~ January 20, 2006

Mystic, CT

Christopher Graham

Christopher W. Graham, 22, of Mystic, died Friday, January 20, 2006 at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, New London, after a courageous and lengthy battle with cancer. He was truly a fighter. He was born in Westerly, RI, on June 25, 1983, son of Dwight and Kathleen Cleary Graham of Mystic. He remained a lifelong resident of the area. He graduated from Ella T. Grasso Regional Technical School with the class of 2001 and went on to attend the Hotel, Restaurant and Hospitality program at Johnson and Wales University. He was employed by the Best Western Hotel in Mystic and enjoyed working at the front desk there. Christopher was truly a people person and thrived on meeting new folks all the time. He easily made friends wherever he went. Favorite vacations with his family included 7 cruises to ports of call in Bermuda, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and various islands of the Caribbean. An avid golfer, Chris was able to fulfill a dream come true while in Bermuda, by playing golf at the famous Port Royal Golf Club and thus became the envy of his golfing friends and coach. He was also an enthusiastic, die-hard Red Sox fan. In 2005, Chris and his family traveled to California where Chris got to meet the cast and crew of the television program, 7th Heaven. Warmly welcomed there, Chris was invited that day to be an ‚Äúextra‚Äù on the show and appeared briefly in the November 7th episode. Christopher enjoyed life and had an infectious sense of humor. He always lifted the spirits of everyone around him. His family refers to him as ‚ÄúOur Hero‚Äù. He was a communicant of St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Church in Groton, where he had served as an alter server for over 10 years. He was a member of the Fr. Murphy Council #1943 Knights of Columbus of Mystic.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his loving, maternal grandmother Teresa Cleary of Mystic, several Aunts and Uncles and also a very special Aunt and Uncle, Diane and David Batchelder of Uncasville and several cousins who were also his close friends. He was predeceased by a Grandfather; William Cleary, Grandparents; B. Wayne Graham and Helen Smith, Great Grandparents; Frank and Jennie Congemi and Dyke and Addie Whitmore.

The funeral will be held from Mystic Funeral Home, Route 1, Mystic, on Wednesday Jan. 25th at 9:15 AM with a Funeral Mass at St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Church, Groton at 10:00AM. Burial will follow in Elm Grove Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 6-9 PM. Contributions may be made in his memory to Dana Farber Cancer Center, Contribution Services, 10 Brookline Place West, Brookline, MA 02445 or to the Dream Foundation, 1528 Chapala Street, Suite # 304, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. The Graham family invites you to visit www.mysticfuneralhome.com for obituary information, directions and an online memorial register to leave a note of condolence.

Memorials | Add a Memorial

Sarah Naylor sunshine711sn@aol.com
Dear Chris,
I miss you so much. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about you. You never realize how much you love someone so much until they are gone, and its so true. I always ask myself the question "what if?." What if I was a better cousin. What if I just took more time to see you? I have so much regret. I'm so sorry Chris. I look at all my other cousins and they have nothing on you Chris. You have always been there for me and you always took time out to bring me to the mall, dinner or just to talk to. I wish I could have done so much more. You've bought me my first cell phone and paid for it all, you took good care of me. Do you remember the time when you picked me up drunk? I was young and stupid then. I was so scared. I didn't want my mom to know or anyone. I didn't have to ask twice, you just picked me up and brought me to Aunt Cathy's house. You stayed up with me to make sure that I was okay. Because of you Chris, I realize how lucky and fortunate I am. I miss you so much and I realize I have never put in any effort in seeing grandma, aunt cathy, and everyone else. I really look up to you because you where always there for the whole family even when you were sick. One day grandma and aunt cathy will not be here so I need to treasure each and everyday that am with them. I now worry about my mom all the time. If she doesn't call me in 2 days I have to call her to check if she is alright. Chris, you were and STILL are the best cousin ever. I look up to you so much and no one has forgotten you or will ever. I will treasure ever moment I had with you and I will pass our stories that we had togeher to my children. I love you Chris, you will always be in my heart. - February 02, 2008 9:27 PM

Kathy Bradshaw kjbradshaw22@yahoo.com
Dear Dwight and Kathleen,

After I had sent you my condolences I went to the cemetary and noticed fresh flowers beside my daughter's grave. I could not believe my eyes when I realized that it was Christopher's final resting place. Every time I visit my daughter at Elm Grove I will always have the opportunity to visit Christopher at the same time. They are layed to rest side by side--friends for eternity. For the two of them to have so much in common in life and death but to never have known each other is so very profound. I just had to let you know how very touched I am and how I feel. Again, please feel free to e-mail me any time. Sincerely, Kathy Bradshaw - January 31, 2006 7:19 PM

Kathy Bradshaw kjbradshaw22@yahoo.com
Dear Graham Family,

I was so sorry to read about Christopher's passing. I did not know Christopher but felt a deep connection while reading his obituary. You see, I lost my daughter(my only child)to ovarian cancer almost three years ago. She too was only 22 years old.

What is even more strange is that she graduated from Grasso Tech and took the Hotel/Hospitality course aswell. So you can see how touched I was and how I know how you must be hurting.

I know things are very hard right now, but I'm sure Christopher would want you to be happy and continue on for him. And, I know you have heard this a million times before but, it really does get easier with time.

If you ever need to talk to someone who has been through what you and I have been through, please feel free to e-mail me any time you want. We need each others support to make it through the ruff times.

With Very Deep Sympathy, Kathy Bradshaw - January 28, 2006 2:42 PM

Lisa Venanzio Luvbugg810@sbcglobal.net
Dwight and Kathy I know that it is so hard to lose someone so close to you. In this difficult time it is good to remember the good times that you have shared together. The trips that you went on, all the memories of him will always been in your heart. You lost a great son. Chris was one of a kind and everyone will miss him dearly. Everyone who knew him was very fortunate, you raised a great person. There will always be a place in my heart for him, I love and miss him dearly. - January 27, 2006 6:52 AM

Becky Swan rebecca.swan@uconn.edu
I am very sorry to hear the loss of such a wonderful person. I knew Chris when i was in middle school and high school. While we have grown apart over the years, whenever I saw him in church or anywhere, he always greeted me warmly and sincerly. I will miss him and his smile. His strength inspires me to continue on ith my life and to live it to the fullest. May he rest peacefully with the lord. - January 25, 2006 4:28 PM

Maureen Gilardi maureen@mac.com
I will always remember Chris smiling. He had a wonderful smile.
He fought a courageous battle.
I'll keep in my mind the pictures of him with his Mom and Dad and
the cast of 7th Heaven. He looked so happy in those pictures.
My sincere sympathy goes to Kathy, Dwight, Diane and Teresa and
the rest of the family.
You will all be in my thoughts and prayers.
May the happy memories you shared with Chris be a comfort
to you now.
Love, Maureen - January 24, 2006 8:21 PM

jeanne favreau mfavreau@snet.net
dear kathy and dwight our hearts go out to you at this difficult time for losing someone that is so precious to both of you, even thought we never got to meet christopher he must have been a very special person. for knowing both of you as i do i could understand why the lord wold want him love jeanne and mark favreau - January 24, 2006 6:37 PM

Sharon Corcoran sharonc@tvc.net
I have so many great memories of my time with Chris. The times we spent talking about and trying to manage the Red Sox and finally seeing them win the series. All the times we talked on the phone about what was going to happen next on "Days of our Lives". The many times I dragged him back behind the front desk by his tie. And most of all, all of our heart to heart talks. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. I will always miss you, friend. Love, Sharon. P.S. It would be nice if you could give me a hint about "Days" once in a while.

- January 24, 2006 3:40 PM

Robyn Mosher moshgirlie@aol.com
Chris was truley a wonderful person, I feel very fortunate to have been called his friend. His one of a kind sense of humor and loving concern for others reguardless of what he was going through showed how high his pillar of strength was. I will admire him for the rest of my life and I will miss him deeply.
Micheal and I send our prayers and love to you, Dwight and Kathy during this time. Chris was a beautiful example of loving and devoted parents.
All our love,
Robyn and Micheal - January 24, 2006 9:23 AM

Rhonda Papallo and Evan M. rhondapapallo@comcast.net
Dear Kathy,
I have thought of you and Christopher often over the past year. I am so saddened to hear of his passing. I know how proud of him you were. Please know that our prayers and support are with you and your family. God Bless you all.

Rhonda and Evan - January 23, 2006 8:13 PM

Rep Diana Urban Diana.Urban@cga.ct.gov
Chris was an inspiration to all of us. His indominable spirit showed through everything he did. He was kind, caring and a wonderful son. When I listen to people talk about him you can tell the impact he has had on their lives. His time on this earth was well spent and he will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. May God bless you and keep you and Chris in the palm of His hand - January 23, 2006 7:14 PM

Paul and Carol Shinn cpshinn@sbcglobal.net
Please except our sympathy. We will miss Chris driving by our house and giving us that beautiful smile he had. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. We pray Dwight and Kathy, that the good Lord will give you strength and comfort. Rest in peace Chris. - January 23, 2006 7:02 PM

Hilary hwehner048@hawks.rwu.edu
I am so sorry to hear about Chris's passing. He was a great person and a true fighter. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. - January 23, 2006 7:02 PM

Paul and Carol Shinn cpshinn@sbcglobal.net
Please except our sympathy. We will miss Chris driving by our house and giving us that beautiful smile he had. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. We pray the good Lord will give the family strength and comfort. - January 23, 2006 6:49 PM

Tina Detelj tina.detelj@wtnh.com
Just wanted to let you know how sorry I was to hear about Christopher. I only got to meet him that one time we did a story on his battle back from cancer - but I could see how his positive outlook and charm certainly affected everyone around him... even those like us here at NewsChannel 8 who crossed his path just briefly. - January 23, 2006 6:25 PM

Tim & Nikea Killam muzicace@aol.com
Kathy and family, we were so sad to hear of Chris's passing, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you, he was an inspiration to all of us. God Bless - January 23, 2006 1:41 PM

Jen, RN, NLCC jenniferunderwood@sbcglobal.net
My thoughts and prayers will be with your family.
Chris was one of a kind and a true fighter. It has
been a pleasure and an honor knowing all of you.
May God be with you all during this time.
- January 23, 2006 9:38 AM

Lesley lwehner1@fsc.edu
My heartfelt condolances and prayers for your family. Chris was always a warm and charinging person. He always knew how to make everyone feel welcome. - January 22, 2006 9:21 PM

Kathleen & Frank Welch antbee1123@sbcglobal.net
Chris only now realizes how much of an inspiration he was to others. To see someone so young deal so courageously with a life-threatening illness, the loss of his arm, was really inspiring. He could have felt sorry for himself, or been bitter, but what he did was demonstrate only patience and love, grace, and faith. His testimony about God helping you through whatever life may hand you, is something we will not forget. "God will not give you more than you can handle". These were not just words to Chris. He lived it. May God rest his beautiful soul, and may God comfort his grieving family. - January 22, 2006 8:34 PM

Susan yellow_princess@sbcglobal.net
I remember meeting Chris in highschool and I remember that I have never met anyone with such a positive attitude at such a young age. I will forever remember him as a caring individual who adored his friends and family. You will be missed.

We will always love and remember you Chris.

Susan Gray
2001 Ella T Grasso Graduate - January 22, 2006 7:38 PM

morgan martic ximalos3r@netscape.net
I met Chris a couple years ago at his cousin Marina's birthday party at the Best Western. I remember walking into the lobby of the hotel and marina saying "this is my favorite cousin, Chris". Through this long battle I've done my best to be by Marinas side with her words that she said to me at her party ringing in my head. Although I only got the chance to meet Chris once, what I have come to learn and hear about him, the title "hero" is an understatement. He, and his wonderful family are in my thoughts and prayers. Rest in Peace. - January 22, 2006 5:26 PM

John & Elaine Chapman johnjchappy@aol.com
There are no words to describe how sorry we are about Chris. Our hope is, that you will find strength through each other, friends and God during this most tragic time. What a wonderful young man you raised. His kindness, courage and loving heart will live on forever. Our souls ache for you. With our deepest sorrow, you are constantly on our minds and within our thoughts. Our love is with you all. May God shine some form of peace upon you.
John & Elaine Chapman - January 22, 2006 4:28 PM

Erin Ahearn e99penguin@yahoo.com
My thoughts and prayers our with the family. Chris always had a way of putting a smile on peoples faces. I never saw him sad or upset. He was always smiling no matter how he was feeling. Chris you will be sadly missed, but definitly not forgotten.
Erin Ahearn - January 22, 2006 3:13 PM

Barbara bjoslin@anselm.edu
Chris never knew the impact that he made on me and many of the other young adults who were in some way involved in youth ministry with him. I will never forget his faith in God and how it inspired me to open my own heart to Him. My prayers and thoughts are always with the family. I truly feel he will be many peoples guardian angel. - January 22, 2006 12:45 PM

Leslie angelitaloca@aol.com
I will always remember the amazing person that Chris was and will continue to be in Heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Dwight, Kathy, and all of his friends and family. - January 22, 2006 12:13 PM

Connie NLCC conniect@sbcglobal.net
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Chris will be sorely missed. What a sense of humor he had, no matter how bad he was feeling. He had a way of making others feel comfortable even in the worst situations. :)
We love you Chris.

Connie
NLCC - January 22, 2006 10:12 AM

~ Back to Top | Back to Obituaries