Arthur “Art” Francis Graham, 85, of Tiffin, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at home at 12:31 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, 2016. He was born in Oregon City, Oregon, Feb. 11, 1931, to Arthur and Aileen Rita (Mangan) Graham. He married Jean Bauer Oct 15, 1955, at St. Joseph Catholic Church; she died Nov. 1, 2011. Art was a well-known and respected Tiffin attorney.
He is survived by his four daughters, Sheila Graham and Marcia (Richard) Focht both of Tiffin; Karen (Kevin) Kraft of Lockbourne, Ohio; Patti (Jeffery) Rossi of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; a son, Thomas (Suzie) Graham of Walnut, California; 11 grandchildren: Eric (Maki) Sanders, Megan (Yonah) Sanders-Drazen, Todd (Britny) Focht, Bridget (Josh) Simpson, Timothy (Kate) Focht, Kira (Jason) Jahn, Kenzie (Matt) Lattimer, Dominic, Graham, Tony Rossi and Trevor Graham; five great-grandchildren: Gideon, Shepherd and Abram Jahn, and Jaxon and Sebastian Focht; a brother, Gerald Graham (Barb) of Mantua, Ohio and a sister, Shirley Carlson of San Diego, California.
He is predeceased by his parents and his beloved wife, Jean.
Arthur was a 1949 graduate of Canton South High School and from Heidelberg College in 1953. After attending Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy where he served on board the U.S.S Calvert (APA 32) in the Pacific. Upon his discharge as a Lieutenant, he attended law school at The Ohio State University and was admitted to the Bar in 1960. He practiced law in Tiffin for 52 years, interrupted for a brief time only when he served as Court Magistrate for the Seneca County Common Pleas Court.
He had an extremely competitive nature and was always eager to rise to any challenge. This was exemplified in all aspects of his life: in school; on the football field and the basketball court; on board ship; in the courtroom; on the Golf Course and in the 19th hole.
Arthur had an outstanding career as a life-long attorney. A champion for the working man, he was proudest of the work he accomplished while representing labor unions. At one point, he served as counsel for every union in Seneca County. Tiffin Mercy Hospital, St. Francis Nursing Home, St. Joseph, St. Mary’s and Calvert were long-time clients. Art was a founder of the Calvert Educational Foundation., and a member of Tiffin Elks #94.
Always an Eagle Scout, Art lived by their code: "Have I done my daily task? Have I kept my honor bright? Can I guiltless sleep tonight? Have I done and have I dared. In everything to be prepared.?". As a champion for many of Tiffin’s causes, his family and this community have lost a great benefactor.
Visitation with family and friends will be 9:30 -11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 22, 2016, with the funeral Mass at 11 a.m. all at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Rev. Joseph Szybka officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery with military rites by the Seneca County United Veteran’s Council.
His family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Calvert Educational Fund in care of Traunero Funeral Home and Crematory, 214 S. Monroe St., Tiffin, OH 44883 (419) 447-3113.
Charitable donations may be made to:
Calvert Educational Fund
152 Madison Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883,