James Graham

James Graham

03/04/1941 - 04/05/2024

James Joseph Graham

March 4, 1941 – April 5, 2024 James Joseph Graham died peacefully on April 5, 2024. Jim was born in Toledo, Ohio on March 4, 1941 to William and Martha Graham. He attended OLPH grade school and Libbey High School (1959). Jim graduated with a bachelor's degree in education (1964) and a master's degree in education (1983) from The University of Toledo. Jim was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi and Phi Beta Kappa.

Jim was a lifelong educator. After teaching overseas in Thailand and Iran, he returned home and taught special education and was an advisor for the National Honors Society at Woodward High School until he retired in 2001. Upon retiring, Jim became a docent at the Toledo Museum of Art in 2002. His favorite people to educate were his four children. He exposed them to the world through the Encyclopædia Britannica and trips to art museums and symphonies were a regular part of their childhood. Jim helped his children materialize their (and sometimes his) ideas for school projects. He was an endless source of knowledge to everyone around him and loved every opportunity to discuss or debate the topic of the day.

Jim was a devoted catholic. He married the love of his life Marycarroll in 1967. Together they traveled the world. She was his favorite dance partner and his constant source of love and support. His fantastic cooking was on the dinner table nightly. He was an amazing father and instilled the importance of God, the necessity of giving back and the values of education and hard work.

Jim's sense of humor and wit were unmatched. He remained lifelong friends with members of Alpha Sigma Phi. In the last few years, he enjoyed sitting on a bench outside of his house welcoming his neighbors to sit down for a chat.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents; his sister whom he adored, Patricia Sweeney; his brother, John; and his beloved son, Peter. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marycarroll (Dane); his children, Dane, Sarah, Patrick (Barbara); his grandchildren, James, Marco and Francesco; sisters and brothers in law and nieces and nephews.

The family will greet guests on Tuesday at Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic Church, 6149 Hill Ave., Toledo, Ohio, 43615 on Tuesday April 9, 2024 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The Mass begins at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be private. Please view the online guest registry at CoyleFuneralHome.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Clyde Dane - Dr. William Gleespen Scholarship Fund at St. John's Jesuit High School in memory of his son, Peter Graham.

www.coylefuneralhome.com