Eugene August Graham

Eugene "Gene" Graham

Gene lived his 91-year adventure with a constant twinkle in his eye. He gifted a smile to everyone he met through his jokes, puns, and perfectly timed one-liners. His five grandchildren now carry with them his greatest legacy: the art of delivering a brilliant punch line.

Eugene August Graham passed away peacefully at St. Patrick's Residence in Naperville on November 23, 2025, surrounded by the love of his wife of nearly 68 years, his two daughters, and the compassionate care team at St. Pat's, his home since March 2024.

Gene (or, affectionately, Auggie) was born August 1, 1934, in Belvidere, Illinois. His favorite number, "22," was inspired by his paper route while growing up in Milwaukee. His family later relocated to Batavia, Illinois, where he ran track at Batavia High School before graduating in 1952. His high school yearbook quote summed him up perfectly - "Life without mirth is a lamp without oil."

Gene graduated from Aurora University in 1956 and went on to serve in the US Army Reserves 363rd Medical Detachment until 1963. He learned to play the bugle in the Army – though his future neighbors wished he hadn't. Still, they couldn't help but enjoy his ambitious attempts at playing "Taps."

Eugene was united in marriage to Beverly Ann Kunold of Aurora on January 25, 1958, at St. Mary's Catholic Church. He fell for Bev while working for Modaff Groceries, where delivering goods to her parents' home became his favorite route. Gene was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel and Holy Angels in Aurora, often volunteering his time for bingo and other parish events.

A consummate salesperson, Gene started out selling cemetery lots and Liggett & Myers cigarettes, then built a long and successful career in electrical wholesale products and real estate. Never one to sit still, Gene found his post-retirement calling as a courier in the Fox River Valley, a job perfectly suited to his love of meeting people from every walk of life. It was nearly impossible to leave a restaurant or event without Gene striking up a conversation with a brand-new friend.

Gene loved sports, and was a loyal (and long-suffering) Cubs, Bears, and Illini fan. As an expert refinisher, Gene never met a piece of furniture he couldn't bring back to life. He was also a collector of many treasures – antique glass bottles, coins, stamps, and, yes, plenty of baseball cards. Gene loved music as well, especially when it meant dancing across the floor with Bev to a favorite timeless classic.

Above all else, Gene treasured time with his family. Always the life of the party, he loved entertaining everyone with stories from a time gone by. He fiercely loved his wife, daughters, and (now adult) grandchildren and could often be spotted in the stands at their school or sporting events. He never missed a chance to tell Alison she was his favorite granddaughter – a title she proudly held uncontested.

Even after toning down his off-color jokes at St. Pats, his ongoing mischief made him a celebrity, and he was soon known as the "Mayor of St. Pats." One Sunday, while the family was enjoying lunch after mass, an elderly Sister (in this case 104 years!) wheeled over, looked at him, and exclaimed, "Oh, it's you!" She then turned to the family and said, "You know, he's a real troublemaker!" In that moment, everyone knew the Gene we loved had not changed one bit.

Gene is survived by the love of his life, his rock, Beverly, his two cherished daughters, Debbie (Mark #1) Trembacki and Stacey (Mark #2) Miller, his five grandchildren, Alison Trembacki, Matthew Miller, Daniel (Alicia) Trembacki, Adam Miller, and Ryan Miller, his three sisters-in-law, Joyce Reuland, Mary Lou Kunold, and Kathy (Gary) Scott, and several nieces and nephews.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Maynard and Helen (Swanson) Graham, and by his sister, Diane Cloud, and brothers, Darryl and Bruce Graham. He was also a dear son-in-law to the late Ralph and Bernice Kunold.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, November 28, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick's Residence, 1400 Brookdale Road, Naperville. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Interment at Mt. Olivet in Aurora will immediately follow Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gene's memory may be made to St. Patrick's Residence or to the Holy Angels Food Pantry in Aurora. Arrangements entrusted to The Daleiden Mortuary (220 N. Lake St Aurora, IL 60506 630-631-5500).

The family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Carmelite Sisters and staff at St. Patrick's for their loving, compassionate care of Gene. Your grace made his days meaningful, and your kindness and support lifted our family throughout his journey. We also extend sincere thanks to Angels Grace Hospice & Palliative Care for the exceptional comfort they provided in Gene's final days.